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FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 


REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D 


BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 


THE   LIBRARY  OF 


PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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I 


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Ey  Miss  F.  R.   Havergal. 


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ANSON  D.  FnRANDOLPH  k  CO.,  900  Broadway,  New  York. 


" UNDER  H 


mm.  ^ 

'GICAL  SE^^^- 


THE  LAST  POEMS 


OF 


// 


FRANCES   RIDLEY   HAVERGAL. 


NEW  YORK:      , 

Anson  D.  F.  Randolph  &  Company, 

900   BROADWAY,    COR.   20th    ST. 


"Then  the  T.ord  put  forth  His  hand  and  touched 
my  mouth.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  Behold  I 
have  put  My  words  in  thy  mouth." — Jer.  i.  9. 

"  Remember  the  word  unto  Thy  servant,  upon 
which  Thou  hast  caused  me  to  hope." — Ps.  cxix.  49. 


**  I  will  direct  their  work  in  truth." — Isa.  Ixi.  8. 


(Written    on    the   first  pages  of  F.   R.  H.'s   last 
Manuscript  Books.) 


PREFACE. 


My  dear  sister  Frances  had  intended 
writing  an  opening  poem  to  this 
volume,  showing  why  she  chose  its 
title  of 

"  Under  His  Shadow." 

Only  these  fragmentary  lines,  written 
in  pencil,  were  found  : — 

*'  Faint  footsteps  tracked  the  burning  sand 
Far  o'er  the  wild  white  waste, 

A  thirsting  band,  lessening  each  hour ; 
Lost  was  all  energy  for  hopeful  haste, 

Lost  e'en  despair's  convulsive  power, 
Although  the  dangerous  glare 
Fell  fiercely  through  heat-quivering  air. 


Although  the  way  was  strewn  with  bleach- 
ing bones, 
And  treasure  dropped  by  hands  that  could 
not  care 
For  gold  or  precious  stones  ; 
When  very  life  evaporated,  and  although 

There  was  no  safety  in  that  terrible  plain, 
No  point  of  pause,  but  death.  For  swift  or  slow, 
Advance  or  halt,  seemed  all  alike  in  vain  ; — 


* 


Happily  I  have  preserved  in  writing 
the  recollection  of  a  conversation,  in 
which  she  gave  me  an  outline  of  what 
she  intended  the  volume  to  be. 

Three  years  ago,  when  we  were  in 
Switzerland,  and  she  was  recovering 
from  illness,  she  said  to  me  :  ^*  Marie, 
I  think  my  third  volume  of  poems  will 
be  my  *  Nunc  Dimittis ' !  Do  you  re- 
member my  poem,  ^Threefold  Praise'? 
I  think  my  first  volume,  '  Ministry  of 


Song/  was  like  Haydn ;  then  ^  Under 
the  Surface/  like  Mendelssohn;  and  I 
want  my  third  volume  to  be  ^  Messiah/ 
all  to  His  praise  ! 

"  I  should  like  the  title  to  be 
'  Under  His  Shadow/  I  seem  to  see 
four  pictures  suggested  by  that :  un- 
der the  shadow  of  a  rock  in  a  weary 
plain ;  under  the  shadow  of  a  tree ; 
closer  still,  under  the  shadow  ot  His 
wing;  nearest  and  closest,  in  the  sha- 
dow of  His  hand.  Surely  that  hand 
must  be  the  pierced  hand,  that  may 
oftentimes  press  us  sorely,  and  yet 
evermore  encircling,  upholding,  and 
shadowing  ! " 

Only  the  day  before  my  dear  sister 
died  she  asked  me  to  collect  and  pub- 
lish  all  her  MS.  poems.  I  said,  *^  Shall 
the   title   be  'Under  His  Shadow'?'' 


Vlll 


Preface. 


and  she  answered  :   ^'  Oh,   yes ;   I  am 
so  glad  you  remembered  it." 

And  now  she  more  than  reaUzes  her 
own  w^ords  : 

**  As  we  fall  o'erawed 
Upon  our  faces,  and  are  lifted  higher 
By  His  great  gentleness,\and  carried  nigher 
Than  unredeemed  angels,  till  we  stand 

Even  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand  : 
Nay,  more !  we  lean  upon  His  breast : 
There,  there  we  find  a  point  of  perfect  rest 

And  glorious  safety  ! " 

Maria  V.  G.  Havergal. 


Oakhampton,  Stourport, 
November^  1879. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

An  Interlude          . i 

The  Thoughts  of  God  .         .        .        .         .        .  2 

Zenith    ........         ,22 

The  Ministry  of  Intercession         .         •         •         •  53 

The  Voice  of  Many  Waters  .         .         .         .         .  60 

"Free  to  Serve".         .         .         ."        .         .         .  66 

Coming  to  the  King      ......  69 

Far  More  Exceeding    .         .         ....  73 

"  The  Splendour  of  God's  Will "  .         .        .        .  78 

The  Two  Paths 83 

"  Vessels  of  Mercy,  prepared  unto  glory  '  .         .  87 

Only  for  Jesus 88 

Daily  Afterwards  .......  89 

Sunday  Night        .......  91 

Memorial  Names 93 

Precious  Things    .         .        .         .        .        .        .  94 

531.  —  Miscellaneous. 

Tiny  Tokens 105 

Mischief  Making  . T07 

Leaning  over  the  Waterfall  .....  109 

Forest  Voices 112 

The  Turned  Lesson      .         .         .        .  .113 


X                            Contents, 

PAGE 

To  Helga      .         .         ,         .         .         .         .         .116 

In   lo3'al  and    loving  remembrance  of  Princess 

Alice 117 

Our  Red  Letter  Days  . 

■                  • 

.       118 

The  Awakening    .         .        . 

• 

118 

Golden  Land         .... 

121 

April      ....          ... 

• 

121 

Mizpah.     Messages  for  Absent  Friends 

.       125 

II3I3I* — Leaflets 

129 

Reality 

131 

Seulement  pour  Toi       .... 

.       135 

A  Song  in  the  Night      .... 

•      137 

What  will  you  do  without  Him  ?  . 

139 

The  Father  waits  for  Thee    . 

.       143 

Will  you  not  come  ?        .         .         . 

144 

"The  Shining  Light,"  etc.    . 

146 

147 

A  Happy  New  Year  to  you  . 

148 

Another  Year 

149 

New  Year's  Wishes       .... 

150 

**  Forgiven    .     .     .     even  until  now " 

« 

152 

3IU» — Poems  of  Earlier  Date. 

Matthew  xiv.  23     ......         .  157 

Matthew  xxvi.  30  .         .         .         .         .         .         .  159 

To  John  Henry  C ,  on  his  third  birthday       .  163 

"  Coming  of  Age  " 164 


Contents. 


XI 


Evelyn  .         .         .         ... 

Faithful  Promises.    New  Year's  Hymn 

To  the  Princess  Royal 

Scotland's  Welcome  to  the  Princess  Louise . 


PAGE 

167 
172 

175 
176 


5J. — Latest  Poems  and  Unfinished 
Fragments. 

Chosen  Lessons 181 

Hitherto  and  Henceforth      .         .         .         .         .181 
Christmas  Gifts     .......       182 

He  hath  Done  it  ! 183 

What  Thou  Wilt    .         .         .         .'      .         .         .185 

The  Key  Found     .         .         .        .         .         .         .186 

The  Song  of  a  Summer  Stream    ....       192 

Hope 195 

Fear  not 196 

"The  Scripture  cannot  be  Broken"     .         .         .       197 

Nothing  to  Pay     . ig8 

"He  Suffered" 199 

Behold  your  King 200 

An  Easter  Prayer  ......       201 

Easter  Dawn 203 

The  Seed  of  Song 204 

"  Behold  the  Bridegroom  cometh  ! "     .         .        .       205 

Unfinished  Fragments 206 

**  Most  blessed  for  Ever  " 208 


il^i 


Mi 


(( 


UNDER  HIS  SHADOW." 


AJV  INTERLUDE, 

^T^HA  T  part  is  finished  !      I  lay  down  my 
"^       pen, 

And  wonder  if  the  thoughts  will  flow  as  fast 
Through  the  more  diflicult  defile.    For  the  last 

Was  easy,  and  the  channel  deeper  then. 
My  Master,  I  will  trust  Thee  for  the  rest ; 
Give  me  just  what  Thou  wilt,  and  that  will  be 
my  best ! 

How  can  /  tell  the  varied,  hidden  need 
Of  Thy  dear  children,  all  unknown  to  me, 

Who  at  some  future  time  may  come  and  read 
What  I  have  written  !     All  are  known  to 
Thee. 


B 


"  Under  His  Shadow. ^^ 


As  Thou  hast  helped  me,  help  me  to  the  end  ; 
Give  me  Thy  own  sweet  messages  of  love  to 
send. 

So  now,  I  pray  Thee,  keep  my  hand  in  Thine, 

And  guide  it  as  Thou  wilt.     I  do  not  ask 
To  understand  the  **  wherefore  "  of  each  line ; 

Mine  is  the  sweeter,  easier,  happier  task 
Just  to  look  up  to  Thee  for  every  word. 
Rest  in  Thy  love,  and  trust,  and  know  that  I 
am  heard. 

Septefuber  ilfh,   1877. 

The  above  ''  Interlude  "  was  written  after  many  of 
the  poems  in  this  volume,  and  immediately  preceding 
"Zenith."— il/.  V.  G.  H. 


THE   THOUGHTS  OF  GOD, 

THY  thoughts,  O  God  !  O  theme  Divine  ! 
Except  Thy  Spirit  in  my  darkness  shine, 
And  make  it  light, 
And  overshadow  me 
With  stilling  might, 
And   touch  my  lips   that  I  may  speak  of 
Thee, — 
How  shall  I  soar 


The  Thoughts  of  God. 


To  thoughts  of  Thy  thoughts  ?  and  how  dare 
to  write 

Of  Thine  ? 

Thou  understandest  mine 
Far  off  and  long  before. 
Thou   searchest,    knowest,    compassest !    Thy 
hand  is  laid 
Upon  me.     Whither  shall  I  flee 
From  Omnipresence  and  Omniscience?     If  I 
fly 
To  heaven,  Thou  art  there  also  !     If  I  take 
The  wings  of  morning,    and  my  dwelling 
make 
In  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  great  sea, 
Even  there  Thy  hand  shall  lead  me,  Thy  right 
hand 
Shall  hold  me.     If  I  say 
Surely  the  night 
Shall  cover  me,  it  shall  be  light 

About  me.     Yea,  the  shade 
Of  darkness  hideth  not  from  Thee, 
Night  shineth  as  the  day  ; 
The  darkness  and  the  light  are  both  alike  to 
Thee. 
Thee  I  will  praise  :  for  I  am  fearfully 
And  wonderfully  made. 


"  Under  His  Shadozv.^^ 


My  substance  was  not  hid  from  Thee 
\Yhen  I  was  made  in  secret,  curiously  wrought 
And  yet  imperfect.     Then 
Thine  eyes  did  see  me.     In  Thy  book 
Were  all  my  members  written,  when 
Not  one  of  them  was  into  being  brought. 
Such  knowledge  is  too  wonderful  for  me, 
Too  excellent,  too  high.     Yet  'tis  but  one 

Keen  ray  of  Thy  great  sun 
Touching  an  atom  in  a  dusty  nook  ! 

One  ray  !  while   others  traverse  depths  pro- 
■    found 

Of  possible  chaos  ;  and  illume 
The  boundless  bound 
Of  space  ;  and  vivify  worlds  all  unguessed, 
To  whom 
Our  farthest  eastern  spark. 
Caught  by  the  mightiest  telescope  that  ever 
pierced  the  dark. 

Is  farthest  west. 

One  ray  !  while  others  ovei*flow 
The  countless  hosts  of  angels  with  celestial 
blaze  ; 

With  still  diviner  glow, 
Flooding  each  heart  with  adoration  sweet  ; 


The  ThougJits  of  God,  5 

And  yet  too  glorious  for  the  gaze 
Of  seraphim,  who  cover  face  and  feet 
With  burning  wings, 
While   through    the    universe   their    *'  Holy, 
Holy,"  rings. 

Only  one  ray  !     Yet  doth  it  come 
So  close  to  us,  so  very  near. 
Our  inmost  selves  enfolding. 
Discerning,  penetrating, — we,  beholding 
Its  terrible  brightness,  well  might  fear, 
But  for  the  glow 
Of  known  and  trusted  Love  that  pulseth  warm 
below. 

And  so 
The  psalm  ariseth,  strong  and  clear, 
"  How  precious  are  Thy  thoughts  to  me,  O 
God! 

How  great  their  sum  !  " 
Uncounted,   marvellous,   and   very  deep   and 
broad. 
Unsearchable  and  high  ! 

Infinity 
Of  holiest,  mightiest  mystery, 

That  never  sight 
Or  tongue  of  mortal  seer 
Could  see  or  tell, 


"  Under  His  Shadow^' 


That  never  flight 
Of  flame-like  spirits  that  in  strength  excel 
Hath  reached  !     The  very  faith  that  brings 

us  near 
Reveals  new  distances,  new  depths  of  light 
Unfathomed, — seas  of  suns  that  never  eye 
Created  hath  beheld,  or  ever  can  behold  ! 


What  know  we  of  God's  thoughts?    One 
word  of  gold 

A  volume  doth  enfold. 
They  are — **  Not  ours  !" 
Ours  ?  what  are  they  ?  their  value  and  their 

powers  ? 
So  evanescent,  that  while  thousands  fleet 
Across  the  busy  brain, 
Only  a  few  remain 
To  set  their  seal  on  memory's  strange  con- 
sistence. 
Of  these,  some  worthless,  some  a  life-regret, 

That  we  would  fain  forget  ; 
And  very  few  are  rich  and  great  and  sweet ; 
And  fewer  still  are  lasting  gain, 
And  these  most  often  born  of  pain. 
Or  sprung  from  strong  concussion  into  strong 
existence. 


The  Thoughts  of  God.  7 

What  else  ?    Even  in  their  proudest  strength 
so  weak, 
So  isolated  and  so  rootless, 

So  flowerless  and  so  fruitless  ; — 
We  think,  and  dare  not  do, — we  think,  and 
cannot  speak  ! 
A  thought  alone  is  less  than  breath, 
Only  the  shudder  of  a  living  death, 

A  thing  of  scorn, 
A  formless  embryo  in  chaos  born 
It  must  be  seized  with  resolute  grasp  of  will, 

With  swiftness  and  with  skill, 
And  moulded  on  life's  anvil,  ere  it  glow 
With  any  fire  or  force  ; 
And  wrought  with  many  a  blow 
And  welded  in  the  heat  by  toiling  strength 
With  many  another,  ere  it  go  at  length 
The  humblest  mission  to  fulfil. 

And  then  its  tiny  might 
Is  not  inherent,  but  alone  dependent 
Upon  the  primal  source 
And  spring  of  power.  First,  Sole,  Supreme, 
Transcendent ! 

What  else  ?     So  circumscribed  in  flight ! 
Like  bats  in  sunshine,  striking  helpless  wings 
Against  the  shining  things. 


8  "  Under  His  Shadow^ 

That  to  their  dazzled  sight 
Appear  not ;  hindered  everywhere 
By  unseen  obstacles  with  puzzling  pain. 
Or  like  the  traveller,  toiling  long  to  gain 

An  Alpine  summit,  white  and  fair. 
With   far-extending  view ;    but   still   with- 
held, 
And  to  the  downward  track  with  fainting  step 
compelled, 
By  an  intangible  barrier  ;  for  the  air 
Is  all  too  rare, 
Too  keenly  pure 
For  valley-dweller  to  endure. 
For  thus  our  thoughts  rebound 
From  the  Invisible-Infinite,  on  every  side 

Hemmed  ever  round 
By  the  Impassable,  that  never  mortal  pinion 
Hath   over-soared,   that    mocks   at    human 

pride, 
Imprisoned  in  its  own  supposed  dominion. 

What  else  ?     So  mingled,  so  impure  ; 
So  interwoven  with  the  threads  of  sin, 
Visible  or  invisible  as  the  sight 

Is  purged  to  see  them  in  God's  light ; 
So  subtle  in  their  changeful  forms,  now  dark, 

'    now  bright  ; 


1 


TJie  Thoughts  of  God. 


Such  mystery  of  iniquity  within, 
That  we  must  loathe  our  very  thoughts,  but 
for  the  cure 
He  hath  devised, — the  blessed  Tree 
The  Lord  hath  shown  us,  that,  cast  in,  can 

heal 
The  fountain  whence  the  bitter  waters  flow. 
Divinest  remedy 
Whose  power  we  feel. 
Whose  grace  we  comprehend  not,  but  we 
know. 

What  else?  So  fallible,  so  full  of  errors, — 
No  certainty  !  In  aught  unproved  and  new, 
Treading  volcanic  soil  o'er  smothered  terrors  ; 
Spectral  misgivings  rising  to  the  view, 

As  each  step  crushes  through 
Some  older  crust  of  truth  assumed.     And  this 
is  all 

That  human  thoughts  can  do, 
Leaning   on   human    strength    and    reason 
solely  ; 
Now  wrong,  now  right,  now  false,  now 
true, 

As  may  befall ! 
And  even  the  truest  never  reaching  wholly 
Truth  Absolute, 


lo  "  Under  His  Shadow P 

That  still  our  touch  eludes, 
And  vanishes  in  deeper  depths  when  man  in- 
trudes 
Within  her  awful  solitudes. 
Where  many  a  string  is  mute 
And  many  a-wanting,  all  the  rest 
Imperfectly  attuned  at  best, — 
We  can  but  wait  for  truth  of  tone, 

For  truth  of  modulation  and  expression, 
With  lowliest  confession 
Of  utter  powerlessness,  content 
To  trust  His  thoughts  and  not  our  own, — 

Until  the  Maker  of  the  instrument 
Shall  tune  it  in  another  sphere, 
By  His  own  perfect  hand  and  ear. 

Now  turn  we  from  the    darkness  to  the 

light, 
From  dissonance  to  pure  and  full  accord  ! 
*'  My  thoughts  are  not  as  your  thoughts,  saith 

the  Lord, 
Nor  are  your  ways  as  My  ways.     As  the 

height 
Of  heaven  above  the  earth,  so  are  My  ways. 
My  thoughts,  to  yours  ; — out  of  your  sight, 
Above  your  praise.'' 
Oh,  oracle  most  grand  ! 


The  Thoughts  of  God. 


II 


Thus  teaching  by  sublimest  negative 
What  by  a  positive  we  could  not  understand, 
Or,  understanding,  live  ! 
And  now,  search  fearlessly 
The  imperfections  and  obscurity, 

The  weakness  and  impurity. 
Of  all  our  thoughts.     On  each  discovery 
Write,    *'NoTas  ours!"     Then,   in  every 
line. 

Behold  God's  glory  shine 
In  humbling  yet  sweet  contrast,  as  we  view 
His   thoughts,    Eternal,    Strong,    and    Holy, 
Infinite,  and  True. 


And  now,  what  have  we  of  these  thoughts  of 
God, 

So  high,  so  deep,  so  broad  ? 
What  hath  He  given,  and  what  are  we  re- 
ceiving ? 

A  revelation 
Dim,  pale,  and  cold 
Beside  their  hidden  fire,  yet  gorgeously  en- 
scrolled 

Upon  His  wide  Creation.' 
He  would  not  all  withhold, 
His  children  in  the  silent  darkness  leaving  ; 


12 


"  Under  His  Shadow.'^ 


Nor  would  He  overwhelm  our  heart 

And  strike  it  dumb  ; 
And  so  He  hath  enfolded  some 
In  fair  expressions  for  the  eye  and  ear ; 
Though  faint,  yet  clear ; 
Such    as   our   powers    may   apprehend    in 
part. 

Thus  hath  He  wrought 
The  dazzling  swiftness  of  the  thought 
That  veiled  itself  for  mortal  ken  in  light. 
And  thus  the  myriad-handed  might 
Of  tliat  from  which  the  million-teeming  ocean 
fell, 

No  greater  toil  to  Him, 
From  silent  depth  to  surfy  rim, 
Than  the  small  crystal  drop  which  fills  a  rosy 
shell. 
And  thus  the  Infinite  Ideal 
Of  perfect  Beauty,  (only  real 
In  Him  and  through  Him,  pure  concep- 
tion 
Too  exquisite  for  our  perception,) 
He  hath  translated,  giving  us  such  lines 

As  we  can  trace, 
In  mountain  grandeur  and  in  lily  grace, 
In  sunset,  cloudland,  or  soul-moulded  face, 
Such  alphabets  and  signs 


The  Thoughts  of  God,  13 

As  we,  His  little  ones,  may  slowly,  softly  read, 
Supplying  thus  a  deep,  true  spirit-need. 

What   know   we  more  ?      One  thought  He 
hath  expressed 

In  that  great  scheme 
Of  which  we,  straining,  catch  a  glimpse  or 

gleam 
In  light  or  shadow  ; — scheme  embracing  all. 
Star-system  cycles  and  the  sparrow's  fall ; — 
Scheme  all-combining,  wisest,  grandest,  best. 
We  call  it  Providence.  And  each  may  deem 
Himself  a  tiny  centre  of  that  thought ; 

For  how  mysteriously  enwrought 
Are  all  our  moments  in  its  folds  of  might. 

Our  own  horizon  ever  bounding 
And  yet  not  limiting,  but  still  surrounding 
Our    lives,    while    reaching    far    beyond    our 
quickest  sight. 
A  thought  of  consummated  harmony  ! 
Each  life  is  one  note  in  that  sym.phony, 
Without  which  were  its  cadence  incomplete  : 
Yet  each  note  complex,  formed  of  many  a 
reed  ; 
And  each  reed  quivering  with  vibrations  pass- 
ing count, 

And  each  vibration  blending 


14  "  Under  His  Shadow.^^ 

In  mystic  trinities  ascending 
Through  weird  harmonics  that  recede 
Into  the  unknown  silences,  or  meet 
In  clashing  thrills  unanalysed,  and  mount 
In  tangled  music,  yet  all  plain  and  clear 

Unto  the  Master's  ear. 
O  thought  of  consummated  melody 
And  perfect  rhythm  !  though  its  mighty  beat 
Transcend  angelic  faculty, 

And  though  its  mighty  bars 
May  be  the  fall  of  worlds,  the  birth  of  stars, 
Its  measure — all  eternity — 

One  echo,  calm  and  sweet, 
Our  clue  to  this  great  music  of  God's  plan, 
Sounds  on  in  ever- varying  repeat — 
Glory  to  God  on  high,  peace  and  goodwill  to 
man  ! 

What  have  we  more  ?    Scan  we  the  blinding 
blaze 

Of  the  refulgent  rays 
Outpoured  from  the  Very  Fount  of  Light  ? 
One  thought  of  God  in  undiluted  splendour, 
Flashed  on  our  feeble  gaze. 
Were  never  borne  by  mortal  sight. 
He  knew  it,  and  He  gave, 
In  mercy  tender, 


The  Thoughts  of  God.  15 

All  that  the  soul  unwittingly  doth  crave, 

All  that  it  can  receive.     He  robed 
In  finite  words  the  sparkles  of  His  thought, 
The  starry  fire  englobed 
In  tiny  spheres  of  language,  shielding,  soften- 
ing thus 
The  living,  burning  glory.    And  He  brought 

Even  to  us 
This  strange  celestial  treasure  that  no  prayer 

Had  asked  of  Him,  no  ear  had  heard, 
Nor  heart  of  man  conceived.     He  laid  it 

there, 
Even  at  our  feet,  and  said  it  was  His  Word. 
O  mystery  of  tender  grace  ! 

We  find 
God's  thoughts  in  human  words  enshrined, 
God's  very  life  and  love  with  ours  entwined. 
All    wonderingly   from    page   to   page   we 

pass. 
Owning  the  darkening  yet  revealing  glass  ; 
In  every  line  we  trace, 
In  fair  display. 
Prismatic  atoms  of  the  glorious  bow 
Projected  on  the  darkest  cloud  that  e'er 
O'ergloomed  the  world  that  God  had  made 

so  fair, 
The  rainbow  of  His  covenant ;  each  one 


1 6  "  Under  His  Shadow. ^^ 

Reflecting  perfectly  a  sevenfold  ray, 
Shot  from  the  sun 
Of  His  exceeding  love, 
Strong  and  serene  above. 
Upon  a  tremulous  drop  of  tearful  life  below. 

One    thought,     His    thought    of   thoughts, 

awakes  our  song 
Of  endless  thanks  and  marvelling  adoration 
More   than   aught   else.       For  Providence, 

Creation, 
All  He  hath  made  and  all  He  doth  prepare, 
Thoughts  grand  and  wise,  and  strong, 
Thoughts  tender  and  most  fair. 
Are  pale  beside  the  glory  of  Salvation, 
Redemption's  gracious  plan  and  glorious  reve- 
lation : — 
The  focus  where  all  rays  unite  ; 
Each  attribute  arrayed  in  sevenfold  light. 
Each  adding  splendour  to  the  rest. 
The  meeting  blest 
Of  His  great  love  and  foreseen  human  woe 
Struck  forth  a  mighty  fire,  that  sent  a  glow 
Throughout  the  universe  ; — an  overflow 
To  the  dim  confines  that  none  know 
Save  He  who  traced  them  ;  lit  up  gloriously 
The  farthest  vistas  of  Eternity  ; 


The  Thoicghts  of  God. 


7   \ 


And,   flooding  heaven  itself  with   radiance 
new, 
Revealed  the  heart  of  God,  all-merciful,  all- 
true. 


Thus  are  the  thoughts  of  God  made  known 
to  men. 
Yet  is  all  revelation  bounded 
First  by  its  vehicle,  and  then 
By  its  reception.     Unseen  things 
Remain  unfathomed  and  unsounded. 
And  hidden  as  the  springs 
Of  an  immeasurable  sea. 
Because  His  thought,  sublime  and  great, 
No  language  finds  commensurate 
With  its  infinity ; 
And  when  compressed  in  any  finite  mould, 
'Tis  but  a  fraction  that  the  mind  of  man 
Receiveth.     For  we  hold 
But  what  we  span. 
We  only  see 
What  feeble  lenses  and  weak  sight  may  scan. 
And  thus  a  double  lessening,  double  veiling 
Of  the  unimagined  glory  of  a  thought  of  Him 
Who  dwells  between  the  cherubim  ! 
First,  suffering  and  paling 


1 8  "  U7ider  His  Shadow^ 

By  its  necessitate  transition 
From  Infinite  to  Finite,  for  that  all  expression 
Is  by  its  nature  finite  ;  then  the  vision 
Which  angels  might  receive  straightway, 
Unshorn  of  any  ray, 
And  hold  in  full  possession, 
Must  enter  by  the  portal 
Of  faculties  sin-paralyzed  and  mortal ; 
And  in  the  human  breast's  low- vaulted  gloom 

It  finds  no  room 
For  any  high  display. 

This  is  no  guess-work.     It  is  even  so 
With   our   poor    thoughts.     For    they    are 

always  more 
Than  any  form  or  language  can  convey. 

We  know 
Things  that  we  cannot  say ; 
We  soar, 
Where  we  could  never  map  our  flight. 
We  see 
Flashes  and  colourings  too  quick  and  bright 
For  any  hand  to  paint.     W^e  meet 
Depths  that  no  line  can  sound.     We  hear 
Strange  far-off  mental  music,  all  too  sweet, 
Too  great  for  any  earthly  instrument ; 
Gone,  if  we  strive  to  bring  it  near. 


The  Thoughts  of  God. 


19 


For  who  that  knows 
The  sudden  surging  and  the  startling  throes 
Of  subterranean  soul-fires  with  no  vent, 

That  seek  an  Etna  all  in  vain  ; — 
Or  the  slow  forming   of  some  grand,  fair 
thought, 
With  exquisite  lingering  outwrought, 
Only  to  melt  before  the  touch  of  effort  or  of 
pain  : — 
(Like  quivering  rose-fire  'neath  a  filmy  veil 
In  mountain  dawn, 
That  grows  all  still  and  pale 
When  the  transparent  silver  is  withdrawn.) 
Oh  !  who  that  knows  but  owns  the  meagre 
dower 
Of  poor  weak  language  married  to  thought's 
royal  power — 
Oh  !    who  that   knows  but  needs  must 
own, 

If  it  be  thus 
Even  with  us, 
Groping  and  tottering  alone 
Around  the  footstool  of  His  throne, 
With  limited  ideas  and  babe-like  powers, 
What  must  it  be  with  Him,  whose  thoughts 
are  not  as  ours  ! 


20  "  U7ider  His  Shadow^ 


And  now 

We  only  bow, 

And  gaze  above 
In  raptured  awe  and  silent  love  ; 

For  mortal  speech 

Can  never  reach 
A  word  of  meetly-moulded  praise 
For  one  glimpse  of  the  blessed  rays, 
Ineffable  and  purely  bright, 
Outflowing  ever  from  the  Unapproached  Light. 


They  say  there  is  a  hollow,  safe  and  still, 
A  point  of  coolness  and  repose 
Within  the  centre  of  a  flame,  where  life  might 

dwell 
Unharmed  and  unconsumed,  as  in  a  luminous 
shell, 
Which  the  bright  walls  of  fire  enclose 
In  breachless  splendour,  barrier  that  no  foes 
Could  pass  at  will. 

There  is  a  point  of  rest 
At  the  great  centre  of  the  cyclone's  force, 

A  silence  at  its  secret  source  ; — 
A  little  child  might  slumber  undistressed. 


The  Thoughts  of  God. 


21 


Without  the  ruffle  of  one  fairy  curl, 
In  that  strange  central  calm  amid  the  mighty 
whirl. 


So,  in  the  centre  of  these  thoughts  of  God, 
Cyclones  of  power,  consuming  glory-fire, — 

As  we  fall  o'erawed 
Upon  our  faces,  and  are  lifted  higher 
By  His  great  gentleness,  and  carried  nigher 
Than  unredeemed  angels,  till  we  stand 
Even  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand. 
Nay,  more  !  we  lean  upon  His  breast — 
There,  there  we  find  a  point  of  perfect  rest 
And  glorious  safety.     There  we  see 
His  thoughts  to  usward,  thoughts  of  peace 
That  stoop  in  tenderest  love ;  that  still  increase 
With  increase  of  our  need ;  that  never  change. 
That  never  fail,  or  falter,  or  forget. 
O  pity  infinite  ! 
O  royal  mercy  free  ! 
O  gentle  climax  of  the  depth  and  height 
Of  God's  most  precious  thoughts,  most  won- 
derful, most  strange  ! 
*'  For  I  am  poor  and  needy,  yet 
The  Lord  Himself,  Jehovah,  thinketh  upon  f?ie I ' ' 


"  Under  His  ShadowJ^ 


ZENITH. 

I. 

WE  watched  the  gradual  rising  of  a  star, 
Whose  delicate,  clear  light  outshone 
the  crowd, 
Gleaming    between  the   rifts   of  parting 
cloud, 
Brighter  above  each  dusky  veiling  bar  : 
The  fairy  child,  the  glimpse  of  girlish  face, 
Rising  to  woman's  dower  of  fairest,  fullest  grace. 

And  still  she  rose,  and  still  she  calmly  shone, 
•Walking  in    brightness  ever  brightening 

still,  * 
Gladdening,  attracting  at  her  queenly  will, 
With  starlike  influence.     The  years  wore  on, 
And  Isabel,  the  star,  the  pearl,  the  flower. 
Could  not  but  know  her  gift,  the  secret  of  her 
power. 

*'  Never  so  lovely  as  to-night,"  they  said, 
Again  and  yet  again  !  There  came  a  night 
When  many  owned  afresh  the  royal  might 
Of  beauty,  as  she  came  with  snowfall  tread, 
And  summer  smile,  and  simple  maiden  dress. 
Crowned   only  with^the  light  and  her  own 
loveliness. 


Ze7iith. 


23 


And  the  next  day  she  was  a  little  tired, 
And  the  next  night  the  rose  had  somewhat 

paled ; 
The  fair  pearl  glistened,  yet  it  somewhat 
failed 
Of  the  past  gleam,  the  radiance  all-admired. 
From  the  soft  emerald  of  the  wind-waved  grass, 
How  soon  the  diamond  sparkle  of  the  dew  must 
pass ! 

And  the  next  week  the  sunbeams  vainly 
sought 
An  entrance,  where  their  merry  rival  lay 
Fevered  and  weary ;  while,  from  day  to 
day, 
The  quick  pulse  wasted  what  short  slumber 
brought 
Of  slow  renewing.     So  the  dark  mist  fell. 
And  hid  the  starry  fire  that  all  had  loved  so 
well. 

Again  she  shone,  when  from  that  dark  mist 
freed. 
But   with    that    singular   radiance   never 

more  ; 
The  brightening  upward  path  so  quickly 
o'er, 
The  solemn  westward  curve  begun  indeed ! 


24  "  Under  His  ShadowP 

The  unconscious  zenith  of  her  lovely  light 
For  ever   left   behind   on  that    gay  triumph- 
night  ! 

II. 

Ho  !  for  the  Alps  !      The  weary  plains  of 
France, 
And  the  night  shadows,  leaving  far  be- 
hind. 
For    pearl   horizons  with   pure   summits 
lined, — 
On  through  the  Jura-gorge,  in  swift  advance 
Speeds  Arthur,  with  keen  hope  and  buoyant 

glee,— 
On  to  the  mountain  land,  home  of  the  strong 
and  free  ! 

On  !    to   the   morning   flush    of   gold    and 
rose  ; 
On  !  to  the  torrent  and  the  hoary  pine  ; 
On  !  to  the  stillness  of  life's  utmost  line  ; 
On  !  to  the  crimson  fire  of  sunset  snows. 
Short  starlit  rest,  then  with  the  dawn's  first 

streak, 
On  !    to  the   silent   crown   of  some  lone  icy 
peak  ! 


Zenith, 


25 


'Twas   no  nerve-straining   effort,  then,   for 
him 
To  emulate  the  chamois-hunter's  leap 
Across  the  wide  rock-chasm,  or  the  deep 
And  darkly  blue  crevasse  with  treacherous 
rim  ; 
Or  climb  the  sharp  arete,  or  slope  of  snow, 
With   Titan   towers   above,    and   cloud-filled 
gulfs  below. 


It  was  no  weariness  or  toil  to  count 

Hour  after  hour  in  that  weird  white  realm, 
With  guide  of  Alp-renown  to  touch  the 
helm 
Of  practised  instinct ;  rocky  spires  to  mount, 
Or  track  the  steepest  glacier's  fissured  length, 
In    the    abounding  joy   of   his    unconquered 
strength. 

But  it  was  gladness  none  can  realize 

Who  have   not   felt   the   wild   Excelsior 

thrill, 
The  strange  exhilarate  energies,  that  fill 
The  bounding  pulses,  as  the  intenser  skies 
Embrace  the  infinite  whiteness,  clear  and  fair, 
Inhaling  vigorous  life  with  that  quick  crystal 
air. 


26  "  U7ider  His  Shadow T 


That  Alpine  witchery  still  onward  lures 
Upward,  still  upward,  till  the  fatal  list 
Grows  longer  of  the  early  mourned  and 
missed  ; 
Leading  where  surest  foot  no  more  ensures 
The  life  that  is  not  ours  to  throw  away 
For  the  exciting  joys  of  one  brief  summer  day. 

For  there   are  sudden   dangers  none  fore- 
know ; 
The  scarlet-threaded  rope  can  never  mock 
The  sound-loosed  avalanche,  frost-cloven 
rock, 
Or  w^hirling  storm  of  paralyzing  snow. 
But   Arthur's  foot  was  kept ;    no  deathward 

slips 
Darkened  the  zenith  of  his  strength  with  dire 
eclipse. 

So  year  by  year,  as  his  rich  manhood  filled. 
He  revelled  in  health-giving  mountain  feats ; 
Spurning  the  trodden  tracks  and  curious 
streets. 
As  fit  for  old  men,  and  for  boys  unskilled 
In  Alpine  arts,  not  strong  nor  bold  enough 
To  battle  with  the  blast  and  scale  the  granite 
,      bluff. 


Zenith. 


27 


One  glowing  August  sun  went  forth  in  might, 
And  smote  with  rosy  sword   each  snowy 

brow, — 
Bright  accolade  of  grandeur  !      Now,  oh 
now, 
Amid  that  dazzling  wealth  of  purest  light. 
His  long  ambition  should  be  crowned  at  last, 
And  every  former  goal  rejoicingly  o'erpast  ! 

For  ere  the  white  fields  softened  in  the  gloAV, 
He  stood  upon  a  long-wooed  virgin  peak, 
One  of  the  few  fair  prizes  left  to  seek  ; 
Each  rival  pinnacle  left  far  below  ! 
He    stood     in    triumph    on     the     conquered 

height : 
And  yet  a  shadow  fell  upon  his  first  delight  ! 

For  well  he  knew  that  he  had  surely  done 
His  utmost ;  and  that  never  summer  day 
Could  bring  a  moment  on  its  radiant  way 
Like   the  first   freshness   of  that  conquest, 
won 
Where  all  had  lost  before.     A  sudden  tear 
Veiled  all  the  glorious  view,  so  grand,  so  calm, 
so  clear  ! 


28  "  Under  His  Shadow:' 


III. 

An  hour  of  song  !  of  musical  delight 

To  those  whose  quick,  instructed  ear  could 

trace, 
Through  complex  harmonies,  the  artistic 
grace, 
The  finest  shades  of  meaning,  and  the  might 
Of  order  and  of  law.     Nor  less  to  those 
Who  loved  it  as  we  love  the  fragrance  of  the 
rose. 

•  And  Cecil  stood,  wdth  all  the  added  ease 
Of  ripe  experience  and  of  sure  success  ; 
With  all  her  e:lad  instinctive  consciousness 
Of  natural  gift  that  could  not  fail  to  please  ; 
With  all  her  rich  maturity  of  tone, 
Like  sun-glow  of  the  South  on  purple  clusters 
thrown. 

She  sang  rejoicing  in  her  song, — each  bar 
A  separate  pulse  of  pleasure.    Were  there 

none 
To  listen  and  applaud,  or  only  one, 
As  freely  she  had  poured  it.     For  a  star 
Shines,  not  because  we  watch  it  !     Only  blaze 
Of  artificial  light  reserves  its  measured  rays. 


Ze7iith. 


29 


Yet  who,  that  ever  tasted,  does  not  know 
The  witchery  of  any  phase  of  power, 
Ascendancy  unsought,  magnetic  dower 
Of  influence  ?     And  Cecil  found  it  so, 
And   though    but    vaguely   conscious   of   her 

might, 
Lived  in  her  own  strong  spell,  a  glamour  of 
delight. 


Nor  only  joy  of  power  and  joy  of  song 
To   fill   the  singer's  chalice    were    com- 
bined ; 
But  sympathetic  influences  of  mind. 
Acting,  re-acting,  as  the  charmed  throng 
Followed  the  wave  of  her  swift  magic  wand, 
Yet  lured  her    ever   on  to 
beyond. 


fair    heights    still 


And  so  the  song  passed  to  its  dying  fall. 
As  the  electric  interchanges  crossed. 
"What  marvel  that  the  closing  chord  was 
lost 
In  rush  of  quick  applause  and  fond  recall  ! 
And  Cecil  rose  once  more,  and  poured  a'gain. 
From  fuller  gushing  fount,  the  doubly  welcomed 
strain. 


30 


"  Under  His  Shadow y 


Higher  and  higher  rose  the  glorious  song, 
Deeper    and    deeper    grew    the    silence 

round  ; 
All  unrestrained  the  free,  full  notes  resound, 
In  splendid  carol-gladness  ;  holding  long 
Unwearied  listeners  in  chains  unseen, 
As   willing   captives   led    by   their   victorious 
queen. 

Tribute  of  wondering  smile  was  freely  paid; 
And  then,  as  subtle  modulation  wrought 
Soft  shadows  in  the  sunny  strain,  some 
brought 
The  deeper  homage  of  a  tear,  and,  swayed 
Beyond  confession,  strove  in  vain  to  hide 
The  unconquerable  rush  of  sweet  emotion's  tide. 


Then  once  again  the  clear  tones  rose  and 
swelled, 
While  flashed  the  singer's  eye  with  inward 

fire  ; 
And  still  the  spirit  of    the  song  soared 
higher. 
Until  the  closing  cadence,  as  she  held 
All  hearts  entranced,  till  like  a  sunset  lay 
The  last,  long,  sweet  note  thrilled,  and  softly 
^  died  away. 


Zejiith, 


31 


And  all  was  over !    Ah,  she  had  not  guessed 
That  she  had  touched  the  zenith  of  her 

song, 
That  gradual  declining,  slow  and  long, 
Must  mark  the  path  now  trending  to  the  west! 
No  boundary  line  is  seen,  and  yet  we  cross 
In  one  veiled  hour,  from  gain,  to  sure  though 
lingering  loss. 

She  often  sang  again.     But  oftener  fell 
Apologies  of  unaffected  truth. 
There  was  more  effort,  yet  less  power,  in 
sooth  ! 
The  ringing  tone  less  like  a  golden  bell. 
**  Not  quite  in  voice  of  late.  '  I  '11  do  my  best ; 
Do  not  expect  too  much ; — I  think  my  voice 
needs  rest." 


So  one  by  one  the  songs  no  more  were  seen 
That  called  for  grandest  tone  and  clearest 

trill. 
And  when  she  sang,  though  old  friends 
loved  it  still, 
The  stranger  wondered  what  the  spell  had 
been. 
And  then  they  spoke  of  how  she  used  to  sing  ! 
Passing  or  passed  away  is  eveiy  earthly  thing. 


32  "  Uiider  His  Shadow P 


IV. 

A  silent  house  beneath  a  dome  of  stars ; 
A  deeply  shaded  lamp,  a  lonely  room ; 
A  fire  whose  fitful  whispers  through  the 
gloom 
In  rhythmic  cadence  leapt  athwart  the  bars  ; 
A  broad,  worn  desk ;  a  broad,  worn,  bending 

brow  ; 
Yet  a  bright  eye  beneath,  full  of  strange  bright- 
ness now. 

A  rapid   hand,  that  wrote  swift  words   of 
flarne, 
Far-glowing  words  to  kindle  other  fires ; 
Words   that    might    flash   along    Time's 
mystic  wires, 
And  thrill  the  ages  with  a  deathless  name ; 
Barbed  words,  that  fasten  where  they  fall,  and 

stay 
Deep  in  the  souls  of  men,  and  never  pass  away. 

Little  recked  Theodore  of  fame  that  night, 
And  less  of  gold.     The  current  was  too 

strong 
For   such   vain   barques   to   launch.      It 

swept  along, 


_  J 


Zenith. 


33 


\V hither    he    hardly    knew  ;    the    impulse 

bright — 
Passing  at  every  turn  some  opening  view, 
Some   echoing   mountain   height,   some   vista 

fair  and  new. 

Lost  memories  trooped  in  amid  the  crowd 
Of  happiest  images  :  ethereal  forms 
Of     weirdly    prescient    fancy,     spectral 
swarms. 
Before  him  in  oppressive  beauty  bowed. 
And  beckoned  him,  with  gleaming  hands,   to 

grasp 
Their  fleeting  loveliness  in   firm  and  joyous 
clasp. 

And    inward    music    rose,    and    wreathed 
around 
Each  thought  that  shaped  itself  to  outline 

clear  ; 
The  royal  chimes  rang  on,  more  sweet, 
more  near, 
With   every  gust.      He  caught    the  silver 
sound. 
And  cast  its  faiiy  mantle  o'er  the  flow 
Of   his   melodious    lines,    in    all   their    fiery 
glow. 


D 


34  "  Under  His  Shadow. ^^ 


Such  times  are  but  the  crystallizing  hours 
That   make   the   rainbow-bearing  prism. 

They  change 
Long-seething  soul-solutions  into  strange 
And  startling  forms ; — new  properties  and 
powers 
And  beauties  hardly  dreamt,  yet  latent  there, 
The  poet-touch   evokes,    strong,    marvellous, 
and  fair. 

For  there  are  long,  slow  overtures  before 
Such  bursts   of  song;   much  tension  un- 

confessed. 
Much  training  and  much  tuning, — years 
compressed. 
Concentrated  in  ever-filling  store  ; 
Till     thoughts,   that    surged    in    secret    deep 

belovr. 
Rise  from  volcanic  fount  in  sudden  overflow. 

IVIuch  living  to  short  writing  !  such  the  law 
Of  living  poems,  that  have  force  to  reach 
Depths    that  are  sounded  by  no  surface 
speech, 
And  thence  the  S}Tnpatlietic  waters  draw. 
With  golden  chain  of  many  a  fire-forged  link, 
Gently,  yet  mightily,  up  to  the  pearly  brink. 


Was  it  the  stillness  of  the  lonely  night 
That  set  his  spirit  free,  with  wizard  hand, 
Opening  the  gates  of  more   than   fairy- 
land? 
Oft  had  he  known  the  pulse  of  poet-might, 
But  never  quite  the  free,  exultant  power. 
In  which  he  revelled  now  through  that  en- 
chanted hour. 

Was  it  not  rather  that  the  harvest-time, 
After  the  sowing  and  the  watering  long, 
Was  fully  come  ;    the  golden  sheaves  of 
song 
Falling  in  fulness,  and  that  royal  chime 
Pealing  the  harvest-home  of  v/ealth  unseen, 
Where  the  remaining  years  might  only  come 
and  glean  ? 

At  length  the   last  page  lay  beneath  the 

light, 

From  wavering  erasure  free,  and  wrought 
Too  perfectly  for  any  after-thought. 
He  rose,   threw  up  the  sash,  and   on   the 
night,— 
The  brilliant,  solemn  night, — looked  forth  and 

sighed. 
And  felt  the  immediate  ebb  of  that  unwonted 
tide. 


36  "  U7tdir  His  Shadow" 

For  it  was  over  !  and  the  work  was  done 
For  which  his  life  was  lived !  unconscious 

yet  ! 
The  blossom  fell  because  the  fniit  was 
set; 
The  standard  furled  because  the  field  was 
won. 
And,  with  the  energy,  the  gladness  passed, 
And  left  him  wearied  out  and  sorrowful  at  last. 

For  only  work  that  is  for  God  alone 
Hath  an  unceasing  guerdon  of  delight, 
A  guerdon  unaffected  by  the  sight 
Of  great  success,  nor  by  its  loss  o'erthrown. 
All  else  is  vanity  beneath  the  sun, 
There  may  be  joy  in  doing,  but  it  palls  when 
dojie, 

V. 

Once  more.    A  battle-field  of  mental  might, 
A  broad  arena  for  the  utmost  skill 
Of  world -famed  gladiators,  echoing  still 
"With  praise  or  cruel  blame,  beyond  the  sight 
Of  each  day's  keen  spectators,  to  the  verge 
Qf   widest     continents    and    ocean's    farthest 
^     surge. 


Zeiiith. 


Zl 


A  great  arena,  whence  the  issues  flow 

Not  only  through  an  empire,  but  a  world, 

Moulding  the  centuries :  wherein  are  hurled 

Thunders  whose  ultimate  havoc  none  can 

know, 

Striking  not   names  but   nations  : — such  the 

scene 
Of    conflict    and    renown,    long   entered    by 
Eugene. 

Many  a  time  his  weighty  sword  he  threw 
Into  the  scale  of  victory,  and  swayed 
The  critical  turns,  the  great  events  that 
made 
The  era's  history.     For  well  he  knew 
Each  subtle  art  of  eloquence,  combined 
With  rarest  gifts  of  speech,  and  native  powers 
of  mind. 

His  patriotism  earned  a  noble  meed 

Of  trust  and  honour,  more  than  any  fame, 

And  sweeter.     Yet  some  thought  his  hard 

won  claim 

Not  meetly  recognised.     Perchance  indeed 

The  shadow  crossed  his  own  thought,  as  he 

found 
Less    kingly    orators    with    heavier    laurels 
crowned. 


38  "  Ujider  His  Shadoivr 


At  length  a  contest  of  long  doubtful  end 
Drew   to   a   climax  ;    and   his  soul   Avas 

stiiTed, 
And  every  generous  faculty  was  spurred 
To  utmost  energy.     For  he  could  spend 
His  very  self  upon  the  cause  that  seemed 
Clear  justice  and  clear  right !  or  rather,  so  he 
deemed ! 


For  there  are  few  who  care  to  analyse 
The  mingled  motives,  in   their   complex 

force, 
Of  some  apparently  quite  simple  course. 
One  disentangled  skein  might  well  surprise. 
Perhaps  a  * 'single  heart  "  is  ;^^^' known, 
Save  in  the  yielded  life  that  lives  for  God 
alone, — 

And  that  is  tJiei'efore  doubted,  as  a  dream, 
By  those  who  know  not  the  tremendous 

power 
Of  all -constraining  love  !    So  in  that  hour 
Of  fierce  excitement,  'mid  the  flashing  gleam 
Of  measured  glaive,  I  will  not  dare  to  say 
That   Eugene's    purest   zeal    no   party  claim 
^  might  sway. 


Zenith. 


39 


Still,  all  combined  to  bid  the  eagle  soar 
Beyond  the  common  clouds,  the  shifting 

mists 
Of  every-day  debate,  the  very  lists 
Of  strong  opponents  strengthening  him  the 
more. 
As  the  strong  pinion  finds  the  opposing  breeze 
The  very  means  of  rising  over  land  and  seas.* 

So  Eugene  rose  in  his  full  manly  strength, 
Reining  at  first  the  fieiy  courser  in. 
That  with  calm  concentration  he  might  win 
The  captious  ear  ; — reserve  of  power  at  length, 
At  the  right  moment  from  the  wise  curb  freed, 
Triumphantly  burst  forth   with   grand   impe- 
tuous speed. 

And  as  the  great  speech  mounted  to  a  pause 
Some  foes  were  silenced,  some  were  wholly 

gained, 
And    all    were    spellbound,  stilled,    and 
marvel-chained, 
And,  more  than  all  the  clatter  of  applause, 
The  cause  was  won  !  ' '  Eugene  was  at  his  best 
To-night !  "    So  much  they  knew  !    They  did 
not  know  the  rest  ! 


*  See  Duke  of  Argyll's  "Reign  of  Law." 


40  ''  Under  His  Shadow P 

For  they  who  watched  with  envy  or  delight 
The  moment  of  his  zenith  little  knew 
It  was  the  moment  of  his  setting  too  ; 
For  fell  paralysis  drew  near  that  night. 
Never  again  Eugene  might  proudly  stand, 
And  sway  the  men  who  swayed  the  sceptre  of 
his  land. 

vr. 

A  simple  Christmas-Day  at  home  !    And  yet 
It  was  the  very  zenith  of  two  stars 
.  That   rose  together  through  the    cloudy 
bars, 
In  bright  perpetual  conjunction  met, 
A  day  whose  memory  should  never  cease, — 
A  Coronation-day  of  Love  and  Joy  and  Peace. 

The  culmination  of  two  lives  that  passed 
Through  many  a  chance  and  change   of 

chequered  years, 
Each   shining  for  the  other,    hopes  and 
fears 
Centred  within  their  home  !  And  now  at  last 
They  gazed  upon  a  clear,  calm  sky  around. 
And  rested  in  their  love,   that  day  serenely 
cro\^^led. 


Zenith. 


41 


Bernard  and  Constance  had  no  wish  beyond 

Each  other's  gladness,  and  the  fuller  good 

Of  those  beloved  ones  who  blithely  stood 

Around  the  Christmas  fire, — the  fair  and  fond, 

The  strong  and  merry,    sons   and  daughters 

grown 
In  closest  unity, — rich  treasures  all  their  own. 


Bright  arrows  of  full  quiver  !  still  unshot 
By  ruthless  bow  of  Time  and  scattered 

wide, 
Still  in  the  sweet  home-bundle  tightly  tied. 
Though   feathered  for  the   flight  from  that 
safe  spot. 
Flight  when  ?    and  whither  ?     Ah  me  !  who 

might  say 
What  should  befall  before  another  Christmas- 
Day  ! 

Closer  they  clustered  in  the  twilight  fall. 
And  talked  of  jDleasant  memories  of  the 

year, 
And  then  of  pleasant  prospects  far  and 
near  ; 
Each  name  responding  at  each  gleeful  'call. 
The  merry  mention  of  a  dear  name  there 
Had  never  yet  been  hushed  by  any  empty  chair. 


42  "  Under  His  Shadow" 

But,  most  of  all,  the  gladness  and  the  pride 
Circled  around  the  eldest  brother's  name ; 
His  first  success,  his  rising  college  fame, 
Made  merriest  music  at  that  warm  fireside  ; 
And  in  the  parent-hearts  deep  echoes  thrilled, 
As  the  repeated  chord  proclaimed  fond  hopes 
lulfilled. 

No  dim  presentiment  of  sorrow  fell 
Upon  that  zenith  hour  of  happiness, 
Perhaps  the  brightest  that  could  ever  bless 
.  A  merely  earthly  lot ;  the  purest  well 
Of  natural  joy,  unselfish,  undefiled. 
Up-springing  to  the  day,  while  heaven  above  it 
smiled. 

And  so  the  evening  hours  sped  swiftly  by, 
And  Christmas  carols  closed  the  happy  time, 
And  Christmas  bells,  in  sweet  wind-wafted 
chime. 
Stole  softly  through  the  shutters.     Not  a  sigh 
With  music  of  the  gay  good-night  was  blent. 
No  discord  in  that  full,  harmonious  content. 

What  then  ?     Bernard  and  Constance  wake- 
.    ful  lay 


ZeitiiJi. 


43 


A  long,  long  while,  unwilling  each  to  tell 

That,  as  the  midnight  tolled,  it  seemed  the 

knell 

Of  the  great  gladness  of  that  Christmas-Day- 

* '  Oh,  what  if  it  should  prove  too  bright  to  last, 

Clear  shining  that  precedes  the  wild  and  rainy 

blast  !  " 

And  they  were  right.   It  cottld  not  come  again ! 
Sickness,  and  scattering,  and  varied  woe, 
Yet  nothing  but  the  lot  of  most  below, 
Soon  marred  the  music  of  that  perfect  strain, 
And  though  the  westering  path  had  many  a 

gleam. 
That  zenith  joy  was  but   an   oft-remembered 
dream. 

VI  I. 

A  soft  spring  twilight.   Cheriy  blossoms  white 

Whispered  about  the  summer  they  were  told 

Was  coming,  when  the  beech  trees  would 

unfold 

Their  horny  buds,  and  chestnuts  would  be 

dight 

In  great  green  leaves.    * '  What  will  become  of 

us?" 
They  wondered  !   And  they  shivered  as  they 
questioned  thus. 


44 


*'  Under  His  ShadowJ^ 


For  the  east  wind  came  by,  with  curfew  bell 
Upon    his    wings,     and    touched    them 

stealthily, 
Shrivelling  the  tender  leaves.  And  silently 
In  their  sweet  white  array  the  blossoms  fell. 
Ah  for  the  zenith  of  the  cherry  tree  ! 
Yet  is  it  past,  although  the  snowy  glories  be  ? 

Wait  for  the  shining  of  the  summer  day  ; 
Wait  for  the  crimson  glow  amid  the  green ; 
Wait  for  the  wealth  of  ruby  ripeness,  seen 
•    After  the  fitful  spring  has  passed  away. 
Wait  till  the  Master  comes,  with  His  own  hand 
To  find  His  pleasant  fruit  in  clusters  rich  and 
grand. 


Yes,  soft  spring  twilight  !     And  a  bowing 
head ; 
A  kneeling  form  amid  the  shadows  grey ; 
A  heart  from  which  the  hopes  had  passed 
away, 
That   made  life  exquisite  as  the   blossoms 
shed 
Around  that  open  window  ; — and  a  throb 
Of  dull  grey  pain,  that  rose,  and  forced  one  low 
deep  sob. 


Zeiiith. 


45 


Only  the  zenith  of  his  youth  had  passed, 
And    scarcely  that.      Yet    perhaps    the 

saddest  time 
Is  while  the  echo  of  the  matin  chime 
Has  hardly  died  away  in  silence  vast  : 
Sadder  to  realize  the  noonday  height, 
Than  the  slow-gathering  shades  of  long  im- 
pending night. 


It  did  not  seem  that  there  could  ever  be 
Another  zenith,  different,  and  bright 
With  grander  hopes,  and  far  more  glorious 

light 

Than  all  the  spells  of  syren  minstrelsy, 
And  all  the  love  and  gladness  that  entwined 
The  merry  paths  of  youth  for  ever  left  behind. 


For  Godfrey  had  no  special  powers  to  spur 
To  emulation  in  the  great  world-race, 
No     special    gifts   or  aims ; — the    open 
space 
A  possible  joy  had  filled — the  dream  of  her 
Who  might  have  been  and  yet  was  not  to'  be 
Queen  of  his  life  !  and  now — the  dark-draped 
throne  was  free  ! 


46  "  Under  His  Shadow^ 


Free !     Yet   Another   claimed    that   empty 
throne, 
And  in  the  twiHght  He  was  drawing  near, 
'  Alid  all  those  shadows  of  dim  grief,  and  fear, 
And  sense  of  vanity.     The  King  unknown, 
Unrecognised  as  yet,  was  come  to  reign, 
And  yet  to  crown  the  life  that  owned  its  life 
was  vain. 

And  while  the  spring  airs  trembled  through 
the  trees. 
The  gracious  Wind  that  bloweth  where  it 

lists 
Dispersed  the  fallacies,  the  world -breathed 
mists 
That  hid  unseen  realities.     That  Breeze 
Unveiled  the  mysteries  of  hidden  sin, 
And  let  the  all-searching  Light  flash  startlingly 
within. 

Then  the  vague  weariness  was  roused  indeed 
/And  passed  away  for  ever,  as  he  saw 
The  nearer  lightnings  of  the  holy  law 
Through  suddenly  deepening  darkness  ;  then 
the  need. 
More  of  a  Saviour  than  mere  safety,  dawned 
In  lurid  daybreak,  as  he  glimpsed  the  gulf  that 
yawned 


Close  at  his  feet — those  careless  feet  that  trod 
So  merrily  a  harmless-seeming  course 
Of  merely  useless  pleasure,  by  the  force 
Of  custom,  and  yet  never  came  to  God, 
Never  yet  stepped  upon  the  Living  Way, 
That  only  leads  to  life  and  everlasting  day. 

Again  that  holy  Breeze  swept  by  in  might. 
And  fanned  each  faint  desire  to  stronger 

flame  ; 
He  said,   **  O  bid  me  come  to  Thee  ! '' 
He  came. 
Just  as  he  was,  that  memorable  night ; 
And  lo  !  the  King,  who  waited  at  the  door, 
Entered  to  save,  to  reign,  and  to  go  out  no 
more. 


And  then  he  saw  those  awful  lightnings  fall 
Through  the  cleft  heavens  upon  a  lonely 

Tree 
That  stood  upon  a  mount  called  Calvary, 
And  knew  that  stroke  had  spent  the  fiery 
ball: 
And  then  the  earthquake  closed  the  gulf  below. 
While  he  stood  all  unscathed,  safe  from  the 
overthrow. 


48  "  Under  His  SJiadowT 

'*  Stood,"  said  I  ?    Nay  !    in  wonder  and  in 
love 
As   on   that   more   than    vision   Godfrey 

gazed, 

He  fell  at  his  Deliverer's  feet,  and  praised 

With  a  new  sweetness,  sweet  as  hai*ps  above, 

The  Glorious  One,  whose  royal  grace  had  saved 

The  aimless  wanderer,  who  never  grace  had 

craved. 

Far  in  the  night  this  wondrous  watch  he  kept 
With  the  unslumbering  Shepherd,  while  a 

The  first  he  ever  knew  without  alloy, 
Filled  all  his  soul  with  light.     At  last  he 
slept, 
Wrapped  in  this  strange  new  peace,  whose 

steady  beam 
Made  all  his  past  life  seem  a  sinful,  troubled 
dream. 

What  then  ?     It  was  no  zenith,  though  the 

star 
Of  life  shone  out  at  radiant  height,  that 

dimmed 
Each  previous  gleam  to  gloom  that  barely 

rimmed 


Zenith. 


49 


The  shifting  clouds,  with  something,  that, 

from  far, 
Might  have  been  fancied  light,  yet  only  made 
The  darkness  more  discerned,  the  spirit  more 

afraid. 


Rather  it  was  the  rising  !  the  first  hour 
Of  the  true  shining,  that  should  rise  and 

rise 
From   glory  unto   glory,    through   God's 
skies, 
In  strengthening  brightness  and  increasing 
power. 
A  rising  with  no  setting,  for  its  height 
Could  only  culminate  in  God's  eternal  light. 


The  feeble  glimmer  of  the  former  days, 
The  hope,  the   love,  the  very  glee,  that 

paled 
•Just  at  their  seeming  zenith,  and  then 
failed 
Of  fuller  sparkling, — all  the  scattered  rays 
Were  caught  up  and  transfigured,  in  the 'blaze 
Of  the   new  life   of   love,  and    energ}'',    and 
praise. 


K 


50  "  Under  His  ShadowP 

The  joy  of  loyal  service  to  the  King 

Shone  through  them  all,  and  lit  up  other 

lives 
With   the  new  fire  of  faith,    that    ever 
strives, 
Like  a  swift-kindling  beacon,  far  to  fling 
The  tidings  of  His  victory,  and  claim 
New  subjects  for  His  realm,  new  honour  for 
His  Name. 

And  so  the  years  flowed  on,  and  only  cast 
Light,  and  more  light,  upon  the  shining 

way, 
That  more  and  more  shone  to  the  perfect 
day; 
Always  intenser,  clearer  than  the  past ; 
Because  they  only  bore  him,  on  glad  wing, 
Nearer  the  Light  of  Light,  the  Presence  of  the 
King. 

Who  recks  the  short  recession  of  a  wave 
In  the  strong  flowing  of  a  tide  ?    And  so 
Without  a  pang  could  Godfrey  leave  below 
Successive  earthly  zeniths,  while  he  gave 
A  glad  glance  upward  to  the  rainbow  Throne, 
And  joyously  pressed  on  to    nobler  heights 
alone. 


Zenith. 


51 


Or  if  awhile  a  looming  sorrow-cloud 

He   entered,  still    he    found    the    Glory 

there, 
Shechinah-brightness  resting  still  and  fair 
Within  the  holy  curtains,  as  he  bowed 
Before  the  Presence  on  the  Mercy-seat  ; 
Then  forth  he  came  with  sound  of  golden  bells 
most  sweet. 


And  then  the  music  floated  on  the  wind, 
A  constant  carol  of  glad  tidings  told, 
Of  how  the  lives  the  One  Life  doth  unfold 
Are  ever  with  that  Life  so  closely  twined, 
That  nought  can  separate,  below,  above, 
And  life  itself  is  one  long  miracle  of  love. 


At  last  the  gentle  tone  was  heard,  that  falls 
In  all-mysterious  sweetness  on  the  ear 
That  long  has  listened,  longing,  without 
fear, 
Because    so  well  it   knows  the  Voice  that 
calls ; 
Though  only  once  that  solemn  call  is  heard, 
While  angel-songs  take  up  the  echoes  of  the 
word. 


52  "  U7ider  His  Shadow ^ 

*'  Friend,  go  up  higher  !  '*     So  he  took  that 
night 
The  one  grand  step,  beyond  the  stars  of 

God, 
Into  the  splendour,  shadowless  and  broad. 
Into  the  everlasting  joy  and  light. 
The  zenith  of  the  earthly  life  was  come  : 
What  marvel  that  the  lips  were  for  the  moment 
dumb  ! 

What  then  ?     Eye  hath  not  seen,  ear  hath 
not  heard  ! 
Wait  till  thou  too  hast  fought  the  noble 

strifis, 
And  won,  through  Jesus  Christ,  the  crown 
of  life! 
Theit  shalt  thou  know  the  glory  of  the  word. 
Then  as  the  stars  for  ever — ever  shine, 
Beneath    the    King's   own  smile, — perpetual 
Zenith  thine  ! 

September  wtJi^  iZl*}, 


THE  MINISTRY  OF  INTERCESSION, 

THERE  is  no  holy  service 
But  hath  its  secret  bliss  : 
Yet,  of  all  blessed  ministries, 

Is  one  so  dear  as  this? 
The  ministry  that  cannot  be 

A  wondering  seraph's  dower. 
Enduing  mortal  weakness 

With  more  than  angel- power  ; 
The  ministry  of  purest  love 
Uncrossed  by  any  fear, 
That  bids  us  meet     At  the  Master's  feet 
And  keeps  us  very  near. 

God's  ministers  are  many, 

For  this  His  gracious  will, 
Remembrancers  that  day  and  night        ^ 

This  holy  office  fill. 
While  some  are  hushed  in  slumber, 

Some  to  fresh  service  wake, 
And  thus  the  saintly  number 

No  change  or  chance  can  break. 
And  thus  the  sacred  courses 

Are  evermore  fulfilled, 
The  tide  of  grace    By  time  or  place 

Is  never  stayed  or  stilled. 


54  "  Under  His  Shadow:' 


Oh,  if  our  ears  were  opened 

To  hear  as  angels  do 
The  Intercession-chorus 

Arising  full  and  true, 
We  should  hear  it  soft  up -welling 

In  morning's  pearly  light ; 
Through  evening's  shadows  swellin 

In  grandly  gathering  might ; 
The  sultry  silence  filling 

Of  noontide's  thunderous  glow; 
And  the  solemn  starlight  thrilling 

With  ever-deepening  flow. 

We  should  hear  it  through  the  rushing 

Of  the  city's  restless  roar. 
And  trace  its  gentle  gushing 

O'er  ocean's  cr^^stal  floor  : 
We  should  hear  it  far  up-floating 

Beneath  the  Orient  moon, 
And  catch  the  golden  noting 

From  the  busy  Western  noon  ; 
And  pine-robed  heights  would  echo 

As  the  mystic  chant  up-floats, 
And  the  sunny  plain     Resound  again 

With  the  myriad-mingling  notes. 

Who  are  the  blessed  ministers 
'   Of  this  world-gathering  band? 


The  Ministry  of  Intercession,       55 


All  who  have  learnt  one  language, 
Through  each  far-parted  land  ; 

All  who  have  learnt  the  story 
Of  Jesu's  love  and  grace, 

And  are  longing  for  His  glory- 
To  shine  in  every  face. 

All  who  have  known  the  Father 
In  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
And  know  the  might     And  love  the  light 
Of  the  Spirit  in  the  Word. 

Yet  there  are  some  who  see  not 

Their  calling  high  and  grand, 
Who  seldom  pass  the  portals. 

And  never  boldly  stand 
Before  the  golden  altar 

On  the  crimson-stained  floor, 
Who  wait  afar  and  falter, 

And  dare  not  hope  for  more. 
Will  ye  not  join  the  blessed  ranks 

In  their  beautiful  array  ? 
Let  intercession  blend  with  thanks 

As  ye  minister  to-day ! 

There  are  little  ones  among  them. 

Child-ministers  of  prayer, 
White  robes  of  intercession 

Those  tiny  servants  wear. 


1 


56  "  Uiide}'  His  ShadoivP 

First  for  the  near  and  dear  ones 

Is  that  fair  ministry, 
Then  for  the  poor  black  children, 

So  far  beyond  the  sea. 
The  busy  hands  are  folded, 

As  the  little  heart  uplifts 
In  simple  love,     To  God  above, 

Its  prayer  for  all  good  gifts. 

There  are  hands  too  often  weary 

With  the  business  of  the  day, 
With  God-entrusted  duties. 

Who  are  toiling  while  they  pray. 
They  bear  the  golden  vials. 

And  the  golden  harps  of  praise. 
Through  all  the  daily  trials, 

Through  all  the  dusty  ways. 
These  hands,  so  tired,  so  faithful, 

With  odours  sweet  are  filled, 
And  in  the  ministry  of  prayer 

Are  wonderfully  skilled. 

There  are  ministers  unlettered, 
Not  of  Earth's  great  and  wise, 

Yet  mighty  and  unfettered 
Their  eagle-prayers  arise. 

Free  of  the  heavenly  storehouse  ! 
For  they  hold  the  master-key 


The  Mijiistry  of  Litercession.       5  7 


That  opens  all  the  fulness 

Of  God's  gi'eat  treasury. 
They  bring  the  needs  of  others, 

And  all  things  are  their  own, 
For  their  one  gi'and  claim     Is  Jesu's  name 

Before  their  Father's  throne. 

There  are  noble  Christian  workers, 

The  men  of  faith  and  power. 
The  overcoming  wrestlers 

Of  many  a  midnight  hour  ; 
Prevailing  princes  with  their  God, 

Who  will  not  be  denied, 
Who  bring  down  showers  of  blessing 

To  swell  the  rising  tide. 
The  Prince  of  Darkness  quaileth 

At  their  triumphant  way. 
Their  fervent  prayer  availeth 

To  sap  his  subtle  sway. 

But  in  this  temple  service 

Are  sealed  and  set  apart 
Arch-priests  of  intercession, 

Of  undivided  heart. 
The  fulness  of  anointing 

On  these  is  doubly  shed, 
The  consecration  of  their  God 

Is  on  each  low-bowed  head. 


58  "  U7ider  His  Shadow P 

They  bear  the  golden  vials 

With  white  and  trembling  hand  ; 
In  quiet  room     Or  wakeful  gloom 
These  ministers  must  stand, — 

To  the  Intercession-Priesthood 

Mysteriously  ordained, 
When  the  strange  dark  gift  of  suffering 

This  added  gift  hath  gained. 
For  the  holy  hands  uplifted 

In  suffering's  longest  hour 
Are  truly  Spirit-gifted 

With  intercession-power. 
The  Lord  of  Blessing  fills  them 

With  His  uncounted  gold, 
An  unseen  store,     Still  more  and  more 

Those  trembling  hands  shall  hold. 

Not  always  with  rejoicing 

This  ministry  is  wrought, 
For  many  a  sigh  is  mingled 

With  the  sweet  odours  brought. 
Yet  every  tear  bedewing 

The  faith-fed  altar  fire 
May  be  its  bright  renewing 

To  purer  flame,  and  higher. 
But  when  the  oil  of  gladness 

God  graciously  outpours. 


The  Miiiistry  of  Intercession.       59 


The  heavenward  blaze,    With  blended  j^raise 
More  mightily  upsoars. 

So  the  incense-cloud  ascendeth 

As  through  calm,   crystal  air, 
A  pillar  reaching  unto  heaven 

Of  wreathed  faith  and  prayer. 
For  evermore  the  Angel 

Of  Intercession  stands 
In  His  Divine  High  Priesthood, 

With  fragrance-filled  hands, 
To  wave  the  golden  censer 

Before  His  Father's  throne. 
With  Spirit-fire  intenser, 

And  incense  all  His  own. 

And  evermore  the  Father 

Sends  radiantly  down 
All-marvellous  responses, 

His  ministers  to  crov/n  ; 
The  incense  cloud  returning 

As  golden  blessing-showers, 
We  in  each  drop  discerning 

Some  feeble  prayer  of  ours, 
Transmuted  into  wealth  unpriced. 

By  Him  who  giveth  thus 
The  glory  all  to  Jesus  Christ, 

The  gladness  all  to  us  ! 

Septembei%  1877. 


6o  "  Under  His  SJiadowP 


THE     VOICE     OF    MANY    WATERS. 

FAR  away  I  heard  it, 
Stealing  through  the  pines, 
Like  a  whisper  saintly, 
Falling  dimly,  faintly, 

Through  the  terraced  vines. 

Freshening  breezes  bore  it 
Down  the  mountain  slope  ; 

So  I  turned  and  listened, 

While  the  sunlight  glistened 
On  the  snowy  cope. 

Far  away  and  dreamy 

Was  the  voice  .  I  heard  ; 
Yet  it  pierced  and  found  me, 
Through  the  voices  round  me — 

Song  without  a  word. 

All  the  life  and  turmoil, 

All  the  busy  cheer, 
Melted  in  the  flowing 
Of  that  murmur,  growing. 

Claiming  all  my  ear. 

What  the  mountain  message 
I  could  never  tell ; 


The  Voice  of  Many  Waters.       6 1 

Such  ^olian  fluting 
Hath  no  language  suiting 
What  we  write  and  spell. 

Rather  did  it  enter 

Where  no  words  can  win. 
Touching  and  unsealing 
Springs  of  hidden  feeling 

Slumbering  deep  within. 

Voice  of  many  waters 

Only  heard  afar ! 
Hushing,  luring  slowly, 
With  an  influence  holy. 

Like  the  Orient  star. 


Following  where  it  leadeth, 

Till  we  stand  below, 
While  the  noble  thunder 
Wins  the  hush  of  wonder, 
Silent  in  its  glow. 

Light  and  sound  triumphant 

Fill  the  eye  and  ear, 
Every  pulse  is  beating 
Quick,  unconscious  greeting 
To  the  vision  near. 


62 


"  Under  His  ShadowJ^ 


Rainbow  flames  are  wreathing 

In  the  dazzling  foam, 
Fancy  far  transcending, 
Power  and  beauty  blending 
In  their  radiant  home. 

All  the  dreamy  longing 

Passes  out  of  sight. 
In  a  swift  surrender 
To  the  joyous  splendour 

Of  this  song  of  might. 

Self  is  lost  and  hidden 

As  it  peals  along ; 
Fevered  introspection, 
Paler-browed  reflection 

Vanish  in  the  song. 

For  the  spirit,  lifted 

From  the  dulling  mists, 
Takes  a  stronger  moulding, 
As  the  sound,  enfolding, 
Bears  it  where  it  lists. 

Voice  of  many  waters  ! 

Must  we  turn  away 
From  the  crystal  chorus 
Now  resounding  o'er  us 

Through  the  flashing  spray? 


The  Voice  of  Many  Waters,       63 


Far  away  we  hear  it, 
Floating  from  the  sky ; 

Mystic  echo,  falling 

Through  the  stars,  and  calling 
From  the  thrones  on  hii^h. 

There  are  voices  round  us, 

Busy,  quick,  and  loud ; 
All  day  long  we  hear  them. 
We  are  still  so  near  them, 
Still  among  the  crowd. 

Yet  amid  the  clamour 

Falls  it,  faint  and  sweet, 
Like  the  softest  harp -tone 
Passing  every  sharp  tone 
Down  the  noisy  street. 

To  the  soul-recesses 

Cleaving  then  its  way, 
Waking  hidden  yearning. 
Unwilled  impulse  turning 
To  the  Far-away. 

Far  away  and  viewless. 
Yet  not  all  unknown — 

In  the  murmur  tracing 

Soft  notes  interlacing 
With  familiar  tone. 


] 


64 


"  U7ide?  His  ShadowT 


So  we  start  and  listen 
While  the  murmur  low 

Falleth  ever  clearer, 

Swelleth  ever  nearer 
In  melodious  flow. 

Voice  of  many  waters 

From  the  heights  above  ! 
Hushing,  luring  slowly 
With  its  influence  holy. 
With  its  song  of  love. 


Following  where  it  leadeth, 

Pilgrim  feet  shall  stand, 
Where  the  holy  millions 
Throng  the  fair  pavilions 
In  the  Glorious  Land  ; 

Where  the  sevenfold  ''Worthy'* 

Hails  the  King  of  kings, 
Blent  with  golden  clashing 
Of  the  crowns,  and  flashing 
Of  cherubic  wings  ; 

Rolls  the  Amen  chorus. 
Old,  yet  ever  new ; 


The   Voice  of  Many   Waters,        65 

Seal  of  blest  allegiance, 
Pledge  of  bright  obedience, 
Seal  that  God  is  true. 

Through  the  solemn  glory 

Alleluias  rise, 
Mightiest  exultation, 
Holiest  adoration, 

Infinite  surprise. 

There  immortal  powers 

Meet  immortal  song ; 
Heavenly  image  bearing, 
Angel-essence  sharing, 

Excellent  and  strong. 

Strong  to  bear  the  glory 

And  the  veil-less  sight, 
Strong  to  swell  the  thunders 
And  to  know  the  wonders 

Of  the  home  of  light. 

Voice  of  many  waters  ! 

Everlasting  laud  ! 
Hark  !  it  i-ushes  nearer, 
Every  moment  clearer, 

From  the  Throne  of  God. 

January  iZtJi^   1 8 78. 


F 


\\ 


66  "  Under  His  ShadowP 


''FREE  TO  serve:' 

SHE  chose  His  service.  For  the  Lord  of  Love 
Had  chosen  her,  and  paid  the  awful  price 
For  her  redemption  ;  and  had  sought  her  out, 
And  set  her  free,  and  clothed  her  gloriously, 
And  put  His  royal  ring  upon  her  hand, 
And  crowns  of  lovingkindness  on  her  head. 
She  chose  it.     Yet  it  seemed  she  could  not 

yield 
The  fuller  measure  other  lives  could  bring  ; 
For  He  had  given  her  a  precious  gift, 
A  treasure  and  a  charge  to  prize  and  keep, 
A  tiny  hand,  a  darling  hand,  that  traced 
On  her  heart's  tablet  words  of  golden  love. 
And  there  was  not  much  room  for  other  lines, 
For  time  and  thought  were  spent,  (and  rightly 

spent, 
For  He  had  given  the  charge,)  and  hours  and 

days 
Were  concentrated  on  the  one  dear  task. 

But  He  had  need  of  her.      Not  one  new- 
gem 
But  many,  for  His  crown; — not  one  fair  sheaf, 
But  many,  she  should  bring.     And  she  should 
.  have 


^^  Free  to  Se^^veP 


67 


A  richer,  happier  harvest-home  at  last, 
Because  more  fruit,  more  glory  and  more  praise, 
Her  life  should  yield  to  Him.      And  so  He 

came, 
The  Master  came  Himself,  and  gently  took 
The  little  hand  in  His,  and  gave  it  room 
Among  the  angel-harpers.     Jesus  came 
And  laid  His  own  hand  on  the  quivering  heart. 
And  made  it  very  still,  that  He  might  write 
Invisible  words  of  power — "  Free  to  serve  !" 
Then  through  the  darkness  and  the  chill  He 

sent 
A  heat-ray  of  His  love,  developing 
The  mystic  writing,  till  it  glowed  and  shone 
And  lit  up  all  her  life  wdth  radiance  new, — 
The  happy  service  of  a  yielded  heart. 
With  comfort  that  He  never  ceased  to  give 
(Because  her  need  could  never  cease)  she  filled 
The  empty  chalices  of  other  lives, 
And  time  and  thought  wxre  thenceforth  spent 

for  Him 
Who  loved  her  with  His  everlasting  love. 

Let  Him  write  what  He  will  upon  our  hearts 
With  His  unerring  pen.     They  are  His  own, 
Hewn  from  the  rock  by  His  selecting  grace, 
Prepared  for  His  own  glory.     Let  Him  write  ! 


68  "  Under  His  ShadowP 

Be  sure  He  will  not  cross  out  one  sweet  word 
But  to  inscribe  a  sweeter, — but  to  grave 
One  that  shall  shine  for  ever  to  His  praise, 
And  thus  fulfil  our  deepest  heart-desire. 
The  tearful  eye  at  first  may  read  the  line 
"  Bondage  to  grief!"  but  He  shall  wipe  away 
The  tears,  and  clear  the  vision,  till  it  read 
In  ever-brightening  letters  "Free  to  serve!" 
For  whom  the  Son  makes  free  is  free  indeed. 

Nor  only  by  reclaiming  His  good  gifts, 
But  by  withholding,  doth  the  Master  write 
These  words  upon  the  heart.    Not  always  needs 
Erasure  of  some  blessed  line  of  love 
For  this  more  blest  inscription.      Where  He 

finds 
A  tablet  empty  for  the  *'  lines  left  out," 
That    "  might    have    been "    engraved    with 

human  love 
And  sweetest  human  cares,  yet  never  bore 
That  poetry  of  life,  His  own  dear  hand 
Writes   *'Free   to   serve!"     And   these  clear 

characters 
Fill  with  fair  colours  all  the  unclaimed  space, 
Else  grey  and  colourless. 

Then  let  it  be 
The  motto  of  our  lives  until  we  stand 


In  the  great  freedom  of  Eternity, 

Where  we  ^^ shall  serve  Him"  while  we  see 

His  face, 
For  ever  and  for  ever  *'  Free  to  serve." 


COMING  TO  THE  KING. 
2  Chronicles  ix.  1-12. 

1CAME  from  very  far  away  to  see 
The  King  of  Salem ;  for  I  had  been  told 
Of  glory  and  of  wisdom  manifold, 
And  condescension  infinite  and  free. 
How  could  I  rest,  when  I  had  heard  His  fame, 
In  that  dark  lonely  land  of  death  from  whence 
I  came  ? 

I  came,  (but  not  like  Sheba's  queen,)  alone! 
No  stately  train,  no  costly  gifts  to  bring ; 
No  friend  at  court,  save  One,  that  One  the 
King! 
I  had  requests  to  spread  before  His  throne. 
And  I  had  questions  none  could  solve  for  me, 
Of  import  deep,  and  full  of  awful  mystery. 


I  came  and  communed  with  that  mighty  King, 
And  told  Him  all  my  heart ;  I  cannot  say, 
In  mortal  ear,  what  communings  were  they. 
But  wouldst  thou  know,  go  too,  and  meekly 
bring 
All  that  is  in  thy  heart,  and  thou  shalt  hear 
His  voice  of  love  and  power,  His  answers  sweet 
and  clear. 

O  happy  end  of  every  weary  quest ! 

He  told  me  all  I  needed,  graciously  ; — 
Enough  for  guidance,  and  for  victory 
.O'er  doubts  and  fears,  enough  for  quiet  rest; 
And  when  some  veiled  response   I  could  not 

read, 
It  was  not  hid  from  Him, — this  was  enough 
indeed. 

His  wisdom  and  His  glories  passed  before 
My  wondering  eyes  in  gradual  revelation; 
The  house  that  He  had  built,  its  strong 
foundation. 
Its  living  stones ;  and,  brightening  more  and 
more, 
I'^air  glimpses  of  that  palace  far  away, 
Where  all  His  loyal  ones  shall  dwell  with  Him 
for  aye. 


True  the  report  that  reached  my  far-off  land 
Of  all  His  wisdom  and  transcendent  fame ; 
Yet  I  believed  not  mitil  I  came, — 
Bowed  to  the  dust  till  raised  by  royal  hand. 
The  half  was  never  told  by  mortal  word  ; 
^ly  King  exceeded  all  the  fame  that  I  had  heard! 

Oh,  happy  are  His  servants  !  happy  they 
Who  stand  continually  before  His  face, 
Ready  to  do  His  will  of  wisest  grace  ! 
My  King  !   is  mine  such  blessedness  to-day? 
For  I  too  hear  Thy  wisdom,  line  by  line, 
Thy  ever  brightening  words  in  holy  radiance 
shine. 

Oh,  blessed  be  the  Lord  thy  God,  who  set 
Our  King  upon  His  throne  !  Divine  delight 
In  the  Beloved  crowning  Thee  with  might, 
Honour,  and  majesty  supreme  ;  and  yet 
The  strange  and  Godlike  secret  opening  thus, — 
The  kingship  of  His  Christ  ordained  through 
love  to  us  ! 

What  shall  I  render  to  my  glorious  King  ? 

I  have  but  that  which  I  receive  from  Thee  ; 

And  what  I  give,  Thou  givest  back  to  me, 
Transmuted  by  Thy  touch ;  each  worthless 
thing 


72  "  Under  His  Shadow, ^^ 

Changed  to  the  preciousness  of  gem  or  gold, 
And  by  Thy  blessing  multiplied  a  thousand  fold. 

All  my  desire  Thou  grantest,  whatsoe'er 
I  ask !     Was  ever  mythic  tale  or  dream 
So  bold  as  this  reality, — this  stream 
Of  boundless  blessings  flowing  full  and  free  ? 
Yet  more  than  I   have  thought  or  asked  of 

Thee, 
Out  of  Thy  royal  bounty  still  Thou  givest  me. 

Now  I  will  turn  to  my  o^^^l  land,  and  tell 
What   I   myself  have  seen  and  heard  of 

Thee, 
And    give    Thine    o\^ti   sweet    message, 
"  Come  and  see  !" 
And  yet  in  heart  and  mind  for  ever  dwell 
With  Thee,  my  King  of  Peace,  in  loyal  rest, 
Within  the  fair  pavilion  of  Thy  presence  blest. 

"Surely  in  what  place  my  Lord  the  King  shall  be, 
whether  in  death  or  life,  even  there  also  wil  thy 
ser\ant  be.'' — 2  Sam,  xv.  21. 

*'\\Tiere  I  am,  there  shall  also  IMy  sersant  be." — 
yohn  xii.  26. 


Far  More  Exceeding,  73 


FAR  MORE  EXCEEDING. 
Kad^  virepPoK7]v  els  VTrep^oXrjv. — 2  Cor.  iv.  1 7. 

FROM  glory  unto  glory  ! "     Thank  God, 
that  even  here 
The  starry  words  are  shining  out,  our  heaven- 
ward way  to  cheer  ! 
That  e'en  among  the  shadows  the  conquering 

brightness  glows, 
As  ever  from  the  nearing  Light  intenser  radi- 
ance flows. 

*'  From  glory  unto  glory  !"     Shall  the  grand 

progression  fail 
WTien  the  darkling  glass  is  shattered  as  we  pass 

within  the  veil  ? 
Shall  the  joyous  song  of  **  Onward  !"  at  once 

for  ever  cease, 
And  the  swelling  music  culminate  in  monotone 

of  peace  ? 

Shall  the  fuller  life  be  sundered  at  the  portal  of 

its  bliss, 
From  the  principle  of  growth  entwined  with 

every  nerve  of  this  ? 


74  "  Under  His  Shadow^ 

Shall  the  holy  law  of  progress  be  hopelessly- 
repealed, 

And  the  moment  of  releasing  see  our  sum  of 
glory  sealed  ? 


The  tender  touch  of  moonlight,  with  an  orbit 

quickly  run, 
The  lustre  of  the  planet,  circling  slowly  round 

the  sun, 
The  mighty  revolutions  of  its  million-heated 

blaze, 
"■From  glory  unto  glory  "  lead  our  far-expand- 


mg  gaze. 


Then  onward,  ever  onward,  through  the  un- 
explored abyss, 

(Dark  barrier  between  the  suns  of  other  worlds 
and  this,) 

Until  the  measure-unit  mocks  the  grasp  of 
human  thought. 

And  space  and  time  commingle  while  the  clue 
is  feebly  sought. 

Till,  in  that  wider  ocean,  deep  calleth  unto 
deep. 

Star-glories  with  attendant  worlds,  forth-flash- 
ing as  they  sweep 


Far  More  Exceedins". 


7S 


Around  their  unseen  centre,  that  point  of  mystic 

power, 
Inunimagined  cycles,  where  an  age  is  but  an  hour. 

Then  !  onward  and  yet  onward  !  for  the  dim 

revealings  show 
That  systems  unto  systems  in  grand  succession 

grow, 
That  what  we  deemed  a  vokniie  but  one  golden 

verse  may  be, 
One  rhythmic  cadence  in  the  flow  of  God's 

great  poetry. 

That  what  we  deemed  a  symphony  was  one  all- 
thrilling  bar 

Through  aisles  of  His  great  temple  resounding 
full  and  far  ; 

That  what  we  deemed  an  ocean  was  a  shallow 
by  the  shore  ! 

Then  !  onward  yet,  in  eagle  flight,  through  the 
Infinite  we  soar — 

"From  glory  unto  glory,"  till  the  spirit  fails  ; 

and  then 
Illimitable  vistas  still  opening  to  our  ken. 
Mysterious  immensities  of  order  and  of  light, 
Stretch   far   beyond   our   farthest  thought,  as 

thought  beyond  our  sight. 


76 


"  Under  His  SJiadowP 


But  the  starting-point  in  heaven  shall  be  no 

**  glory  of  the  moon," 
No  planet  gleam,  no  stellar  fire,  no  blaze  of 

tropic  noon  ; 
From  *' glory  that   excelleth  "  all  that  human 

heart  hath  known, 
Our  "  onward,   upward,"   shall   begin  in   the 

presence  of  the  Throne. 


**  From  gloiy  unto  gloiy  "  of    loveliness  and 

light. 
Of  music  and    of  rapture,  of  power   and  of 

sight, 
*'  From  glory  unto  glory  "  of  knowledge  and 

of  love, 
Shall  be  the  joy  of  progress  awaiting  us  above. 


*  *  From  glory  unto  glory "  that  ever  lies 
before, 

Still  wondering,  adoring,  rejoicing  more  and 
more. 

Still  following  where  He  leadeth,  from  shining 
field  to  field, 

Himself  the  goal  of  glory,  Revealer  and  Re- 
vealed ! 


Far  More  Exceeding.  77 

**  From  glory  unto  glory"  with  no  limit  and 

no  veil, 
With  wings  that  cannot  weary  and  hearts  that 

cannot  fail  ; 
Within,  without,  no  hindrance,  no  barrier  as 

we  soar  ; 
And  never  interruption  to  the  endless  **more 

and  more  "  ! 

For  infinite  outpourings  of  Jehovah's  love  and 

grace, 
And  infinite  unveilings  of  the  brightness  of  His 

face. 
And  infinite  unfoldings  of  the  splendour  of  His 

will. 
Meet  the    mightiest  expansions  of  the  finite 

spirit  still. 


r- 


O  Saviour,  hast  Thou  ransomed  us  from  death's 
unknown  abyss. 

And  purchased  with  Thy  precious  blood  such 
everlasting  bliss  ? 

Art  Thou  indeed  preparing  us,  with  love  ex- 
ceeding great. 

And  preparing  all  this  glory  in  such  *'far 
exceeding  weight "  ? 


78 


"  Under  His  Shadow." 


Then  let  our  hearts  be  surely  fixed  where  ti-uest 

joys  are  found, 
And  let  our  burning,  loving  praise,  yet  more 

and  more  abound  ; 
And,  gazing  on  the  "  things  not  seen,"  eternal 

in  the  skies, 
From  glory  unto  glory,"  O  Saviour,  let  us 

rise ! 


(( 


*'  THE  SPLENDOUR  OF  GOD'S  IVHL, 

IN  the  freshness  of  the  springtime, 
In  the  beauty  of  the  May, 
When  the  swift-winged  breezes  carolled, 

And  the  lambs  were  all  at  play, 
And  the  birds  were  blithe  and  busy, 
Upon  her  couch  she  lay. 


Like  a  lily  bmised  and  drooping. 

Before  its  early  flower 
Had  fully  opened  to  the  sun, 

Or  reached  a  noontide  hour; 
Broken  and  yet  more  fragrant 

For  the  heavv-beatinc:  shower. 


It  was  not  the  first  springtime 
Passed  without  one  glad  sight 

Of  a  starry  primrose  growing, 
Or  a  brooklet  swift  and  bright, 

And  without  one  bounding  footstep 
On  a  field  with  daisies  white. 


It  was  not  the  first  springtime  ; 

And  it  might  not  be  the  last 
In  weariness  and  suffering 

Thus  to  be  slowly  passed  ; 
For  when  the  young  feet  cannot  move 

Months  do  not  travel  fast. 

And  yet  she  saw  what  others 
Have  never  sought  or  seen, 

A  splendour  more  than  spring-light 
On  fair  trees  waving  green, 

And  more  than  summer  sunshine 
On  Ocean's  silver  sheen. 


Her  pencil,  tracing  feebly 
Words  that  shall  echo  still, 

Perchance  some  unknown  mission 
May  joyously  fulfil  : — 
I  think  I  just  begin  to  see 
The  splendotir  of  God's  \A'ill  I" 


<< 


O  words  of  golden  music 

Caught  from  the  harps  on  high, 
Which  find  a  glorious  anthem 

Where  we  have  found  a  sigh, 
And  peal  their  grandest  praises 

Just  where  ours  faint  and  die ! 

O  words  of  holy  radiance 

Shining  on  every  tear, 
Till  it  becomes  a  rainbow, 

Reflecting,  bright  and  clear, 
Our  Father's  love  and  glory 
•  So  wonderful,  so  dear ! 

O  words  of  sparkling  power, 
Of  insight  full  and  deep  ! 

Shall  they  not  enter  other  hearts 
In  a  grand  and  gladsome  sweep. 

And  lift  the  lives  to  songs  of  joy 
That  only  droop  and  weep  ? 

For  her,  God's  will  was  suffering, 
Just  waiting,  lying  still ; 

Days  passing  on  in  weariness, 
In  shadows  deep  and  chill  ; 

And  yet  she  had  begun  to  see 
The  splendour  of  God's  will ! 


n 


The  Splendoicr  of  God^s  WHIP    8i 


And  oh,  it  is  a  splendour, 

A  glow  of  majesty, 
A  mystery  of  beauty, 

If  we  will  only  see ; 
A  very  cloud  of  glory 

Enfolding  you  and  me. 

A  splendour  that  is  lighted 

At  one  transcendent  flame, 
The  wondrous  Love,  the  perfect  Love, 

Our  Father's  sweetest  name  ; 
For  His  very  Name,  and  Essence, 

And  His  will,  are  all  the  same. 

A  splendour  that  is  shining 

Upon  His  children's  way. 
That  guides  the  willing  footsteps 

That  do  not  want  to  stray, 
And  that  leads  them  ever  onward 

Unto  the  perfect  day. 


A  splendour  that  illumines 
The'  abysses  of  the  Past 

And  marvels  of  the  Future, 
Sublime  and  bright  and  vast  ; 

While  o'er  our  tiny  Present 
A  flood  of  light  is  cast. 


G 


82 


"  Under  His  Shadow.^^ 


No  twilight  falls  upon  it, 
No  shadow  dims  its  ray, 

No  darkness  overcomes  it, 
No  night  can  end  its  day  ; 

It  hath  unending  triumph 
And  everlasting  sway. 

Blest  will  of  God  !  most  glorious. 
The  very  fount  of  grace, 

Whence  all  the  goodness  floweth 
That  heart  can  ever  trace — 

Temple  whose  pinnacles  are  love, 
And  faithfulness  its  base. 


Blest  will  of  God  !  whose  splendour 

Is  daAvning  on  the  world, 
On  hearts  in  which  Christ's  banner 

Is  manfully  unfurled. 
On  hearts  of  childlike  meekness, 

With  dew  of  youth  im pearled. 

O  Spirit  of  Jehovah, 

Reveal  this  glory  still  ! 
That  many  an  empty  chalice 

Sweet  thanks  and  praise  may  fill. 
When,  like  this  **  little  one,"  they  see 

*/ The  splendour  of  God's  will": 


The  Two  Paths. 


83 


That  faith  may  win  the  vision 
That  hers  hath  early  won, 

And  gaze  upon  the  splendour, 
And  own  the  cloudless  sun, 

And  join  the  seraph  song  of  love, 
And  sing  *'Thy  will  be  done!" 

1874. 


THE    TWO  PATHS, 
Via  Dolorosa  and  Via  Giojosa. 

[Suggested  by  a  Picttire.] 

MY  Master,  they  have  wronged  Thee  and 
Thy  love  ! 
They  only  told  me  I  should  find  the  path 
A  Via  Dolorosa  all  the  way  ! 
Even  Thy  sweetest  singers  only  sang 
Of  pressing  onward   through  the  same  sharp 

thorns, 
With  bleeding  footsteps,  through  the  chill  dark 

mist, 
Following  and  struggling  till  they  reach   the 

light, 
The  rest,  the  sunshine  of  the  far  beyond. 
The  anthems  of  the  pilgrimage  were  set 


84 


"  Under  His  Shadow^' 


In  most  pathetic  minors,  exquisite. 
Yet  breathing  sadness  more  than  any  praise  ; 
Thy  minstrels  let  the  fitful  breezes  make 
^olian  moans  on  their  entrusted  harps, 
Until  the  listeners  thought  that  this  was  all 
The  music  Thou  hadst  given.    And  so  the  steps 
That   halted   where   the   two   ways   met   and 

crossed, 
The  broad  and  narrow,  turned  aside  in  fear, 
Thinking  the  radiance  of  their  youth  must  pass 
In  sombre  shadows  if  they  followed  Thee  ; 
Hearing  afar  such  echoes  of  one  strain, 
The  cross,  the  tribulation,  and  the  toil, 
The  conflict,  and  the  clinging  in  the  dark. 
What  wonder  that  the  dancing  feet  are  stayed 
From  entering  the  only  path  of  peace  ! 
Master,  forgive  them  !  Tune  their  harps  anew, 
And  put  a  new  song  in  their  mouths  for  Thee, 
And  make  Thy  chosen  people  joyful  in  Thy 

love. 


Lord  Jesus,  Thou  hast  trodden  once  for  all 
The  Via  Dolorosa, — and  for  us  ! 
No  artist  power  or  minstrel  gift  may  tell 
The  cost  to  Thee  of  each  unfaltering  step, 
,When  love  that  passeth  knowledge  led  Thee  on, 
Faithful  and  true  to  God,  and  true  to  us. 


The  Two  Paths.  85 

And  now,  beloved  Lord,  Thou  callest  us 
To  follow  Thee,  and  we  will  take  Thy  word 
About  the  path  which  Thou  hast  marked  for  us. 
Narrow  indeed  it  is  !     Who  does  not  choose 
The  narrow  track  upon  the  mountain  side, 
"With  ever- widening  view,  and  freshening  air. 
And  honeyed  heather,  rather  than  the  road, 
With  smoothest  breadth  of  dust  and   loss  of 

view. 
Soiled  blossoms  not  worth  gathering,  and  the 

noise 
Of  wheels  instead  of  silence  of  the  hills, 
Or  music  of  the  waterfalls?     Oh,  why 
Should  they  misrepresent  Thy  words,  and  make 
*'  Narrow  "  synonymous  with  **  very  hard  "  ? 

For  Thou,  Divinest  Wisdom,  Thou  hast  said 
Thy  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all 
Thy  paths  are  peace ;  and  that  the  path  of  him 
Who  wears  Thy  perfect  robe  of  righteousness 
Is  as  the  light  that  shineth  more  and  more 
Unto  the  perfect  day.     And  Thou  hast  given 
An  olden  promise,  rarely  quoted  now,* 
Because  it  is  too  bright  for  our  weak  faith  : 
*'  If  they  obey  and  serve  Him,  they  shall  spend 
Days  in  prosperity,  and  they  shall  spefnd 

*  Job  xxvi.  1 1. 


86  "  U7ider  His  Shadow^ 

Their  years  in  pleasures."     All  because  Thy 

days 
Were  full  of  sorrow,  and  Thy  lonely  years 
Were  passed  in  grief's  acquaintance — all  for  us ! 

/^  Master,  I  set  my  seal  that  Thou  art  true, 

Of  Thy  good  promise  not  one  thing  hath  failed ! 

And  I  would  send  a  ringing  challenge  forth, 

To  all  who  know  Thy  name,  to  tell  it  out, 

Thy  faithfulness  to  every  written  word, 

Thy  lovingkindness  crowning  all  the  days, — 

To  say  and  sing  with  me :  "  The  Lord  is  good, 

His  mercy  is  for  ever,  and  His  truth 

Is  written  on  each  page  of  all  my  life  !  " 

Yes  !  there  is  tribulation,  but  Thy  power 

Can  blend  it  with  rejoicing.    There  are  thorns, 

But  they  have  kept  us  in  the  narrow  way, 

The  King's  highway  of  holiness  and  peace. 

And  there  is  chastening,  but  the  Father's  love 

Flows  through  it ;  and  would  any  tmsting  heart 

Forego  the  chastening  and  forego  the  love  ? 

And  every  step  leads  on  to  ''  more  and  more," 

From  strength  to  strength  Thy  pilgrims  pass 

and  sing 

The  praise  of  Him  who  leads  them  on  and  on, 

From  glory  unto  glory,  even  here  ! 

V     '  1878. 


Vessels  oj  Mercy. 


87 


''  VESSELS   OF  MERCY,  PREPARED 
UNTO   GLORVr 
(Rom.  ix.  23.) 

VESSELS  of  mercy,  prepared  unto  glory  ! 
This  is  your  calling  and  this  is  your  joy ! 
This,  for  the  new  year  unfolding  before  ye, 
Tells  out  the  terms  of  your  blessed  employ. 


Vessels,  it  may  be,  all  empty  and  broken, 
Marred  in  the  Hand  of  inscrutable  skill ; 

(Love  can  accept  the  mysterious  token  !) 
Marred  but  to  make  them  more  beautiful 

still.  JER.  xviii.  4. 

Vessels,  it  may  be,  not  costly  or  golden  ; 

Vessels,  it  may  be,  of  quantity  small, 
Yet  by  the  Nail  in  the  Sure  Place  upholden, 

Never  to  shiver  and  never  to  fall. 

ISA.  xxii.  23,  24. 

Vessels  to  honour,  made  sacred  and  holy. 
Meet  for  the  use  of  the  Master  we  love, 

Ready  for  service  all  simple  and  lowly,  ' 
Ready,  one  day,  for  the  temple  above. 

2  Tim.  ii.  21. 


88 


((    TT. 


Under  His  ShadowP 


Yes,  though  the  vessels  be  fragile  and  earthen, 

God  hath  commanded  His  glory  to  shine  ; 

Treasure  resplendent  henceforth  is  our  burthen, 

Excellent  power,  not  ours  but  Divine. 

2  Cor.  iv.  5,  6. 

Chosen  in  Christ  ere  the  dawn  of  Creation, 
Chosen  for  Him,  to  be  filled  with  His  grace, 

Chosen  to  carry  the  streams  of  salvation 
Into  each  thirsty  and  desolate  place. 

ACTS  ix.  15. 

Take  all  Thy  vessels,  O  glorious  Finer, 

Purge  all  the  dross,  that  each  chalice  may  be 

Pure  in  Thy  pattern,  completer,  diviner, 
Filled  with  Thy  glory  and  shining  for  Thee. 

PROV.  XXV.  4. 

Caswell  Road,  Nov,  23;'^,   1878. 


ONL  V  FOR  JESUS, 

ONLY  for  Jesus  !     Lord,  keep  it  for  ever 
Sealed  on  the  heart  and  engraved  on 
the  life  ! 
Pulse  of  all  gladness  and  nerve  of  endeavour. 
Secret  of  rest,  and  the  strength  of  our  strife. 


Daily  Afterwa7'ds.  89 


DAILY  AFTERWARDS, 

From  F.  R.  H.  to  K.  T. 

*'  npHERE  is  no  'afterward'  on  earth  for 
i       me!" 
Beloved,  'tis  not  so  ! 
That  God's  own  *'  afterwards  "  are  pledged  to 
thee, 
Thy  life  shall  show. 

No  "afterward"  indeed  of  great  things  wrought. 

By  willing  hands  and  feet  ; 
No  sheaf  is  thine,  from  wider  harvests  brought. 

With  singing  sweet. 


Fair  flowing  years  of  ease  and  laughing  strength, 

With  cloudless  mornings  skie, 
Sweet  life  renewed,  and  active  work  at  length. 

His  love  denies. 

But  living  fruit  of  righteousness  to  Him 

His  chastening  shall  yield. 
And  constant  *' afterwards,"  no  longer  dim. 

Shall  be  revealed. 

Is  it  no  * '  afterward  "  that  in  thy  heart 

His  love  is  sh^d  abroad  ? 
And  that  His  Spirit  breathes,  while  called  apart, 

The  peace  of  God  ? 


90 


"  Under  His  Shadow P 


ThsLtj'ojy  in  tribulation  shall  spring  forth 

To  greet  His  visits  blessed, 
Whose  wisdom  wakes  the  south  wind  or  the 
north, 

As  He  sees  best ! 

Shall  not  longsuffering  in  thee  be  wrought, 

To  mirror  back  His  o^vn  ? 
His  gentleness  shall  mellow  every  thought, 

And  look  and  tone. 

And  goodness  !  In  thyself  dwells  no  good  thing, 

Yet  from  thy  glorious  Root 
An  "afterward"  of  holiness  shall  spring — 

Most  precious  fruit  ! 

The  trial  of  thy  faith  from  hour  to  hour 

Shall  yield  a  grand  increase  ; 
He  shall  fulfil  the  work  of  faith  with  power 

That  cannot  cease. 

And  all  around  shall  praise  Him  as  they  see 

The  meekness  of  thy  Lord  ; 
Thus,  even  here  and  now,  how  blest  shall  be 

Thy  sure  reward  ! 

This  pleasant  fruit  it  shall  be  thine  to  lay 

At  thy  Beloved's  feet, 
The  ripening  clusters  growing  day  by  day 
'  More  full  and  sweet. 


.  Su7iday  Night, 


91 


If  at  His  gate  He  keeps  thee  waiting  now 
Through  many  a  suffering  year, 

Watch  for  His  daily  **  afterwards,"  and  thou 
Shalt  find  them  here  : 

Till,  as  refined  gold,  in  thee  shall  shine 

His  image,  no  more  dim  ; 
Then  shall  the  endless  *'  afterward  "  be  thine 

Of  rest  w^ith  Him. 


SUNDA  Y  NIGHT, 

REST  him,  O  Father !     Thou  didst  send 
him  forth 
With  great  and  gracious  messages  of  love ; 
But  Thy  ambassador  is  weary  now, 
Worn  with  the  weight  of  his  high  embassy. 
Now  care  for  him  as  Thou  hast  cared  for  us 
In  sending  him  ;  and  cause  him  to  lie  down 
In  Thy  fresh  pastures,  by  Thy  streams  of  peace. 
Let  Thy  left  hand  be  now  beneath  his  head, 
And  Thine  upholding  right  encircle  him, 
And,  underneath,  the  Everlasting  arms 
Be  felt  in  full  support.     So  let  him  rest, , 
Hushed  like  a  little  child,  without  one  care ; 
And  so  give  Thy  beloved  sleep  to-night. 


r-. 


92  "  Under  His  Shadow^' 

Rest  him,  dear  Master  !     He  hath  poured 

for  us 
The  wine  of  joy,  and  we  have  been  refreshed. 
Now   fill   his   chalice,    give   him    sweet  new 

draughts 
Of  life  and  love,   with   Thine  own  hand  ;  be 

Thou 
His  ministrant  to-night ;  draw  very  near 
In  all  Thy  tenderness  and  all  Thy  power. 
Oh  speak  to  him  !  Thou  knowest  how  to  speak 
A  word  in  season  to  Thy  weary  ones, 
And  he  is  weary  now.     Thou  lovest  him — 
Let  Thy  disciple  lean  upon  Thy  breast. 
And,  leaning,  gain  new  strength  to  "  rise  and 

shine." 

Rest  him,  O  loving  Spirit  !     Let  Thy  calm 
Fall  on  his  soul  to-night.     O  holy  Dove, 
Spread  Thy  bright  wing  above  him,  let  him 

rest 
Beneath  its  shadow ;  let  him  know  afresh 
The   infinite   truth    and   might   of  Thy  dear 

name — 
**  Our  Comforter!"     As  gentlest  touch  will 

stay 
The  strong  vibrations  of  a  jarring  chord, 
So  lay  Thy  hand  upon  his  heart,  and  still 


Meinorial  Naines. 


93 


Each  overstraining  throb,  each  pulsing  pain. 
Then,  in  the  stillness,  breathe  upon  the  strings, 
And  let  Thy  holy  music  overflow 
With  soothing  power  his  listening,  resting  soul. 


MEMORIAL  NAMES, 

THE  High  Priest  stands  before  the  Mercy 
Seat, 
And  on  his  breast  bright  mingling  jewel- 
flames 
Reflect  Shechinah   light ;    twelve  patriarch 
names 
Flash  where  the  emerald  and  sapphire  meet 
Sardius  and  diamond.     With  softer  beam, 
From  mystic  onyx  on  his  shoulder  placed, 
Deep  graven,  never  altered  or  erased, 
The'same  great  names,  in  birthday  order,  gleam. 
May  each  name  written  here  be  thus  engraved. 
Set  in  the  place  of  power,  the  place  of  love. 
And  borne  in  sweet  memorial  above. 
By  Him  who  loved  and  chose,  redeemed  and 

saved. 
Be  each  dear  name,  the  greatest  and  the  least, 
Always  upon  the  heart  of  our  High  Priest. 


94  "  Under  His  Shadow^' 


PRECIOUS   THINGS. 

I. 

OWHAT  shining  revelation  of  His  trea- 
sures God  hath  given  ! 
Precious  things  of  grace  and  glory,  precious 

things  of  earth  and  heaven. 
Holy    Spirit,    now  unlock    them   with   Thy 

mighty  golden  key, 
Royal  jewels  of  the  kingdom  let  us  now  ador- 
ing see  ! 

II. 

"  Unto  you  therefore  which  believe.  He  is  precious." 
— I  Pet.  ii.  7. 

Christ  is  precious,  oh  most  precious,  gift  ^  by 
God  the  Father  sealed  ;2 

Pearl  ^  of  greatest  price  and  treasure,'^  hidden, 
yet  to  us  revealed  ;  ^ 

His  own  people's  crown  of  glory,  and  re- 
splendent diadem  ;  ^ 

More  7  than  thousand  worlds,  and  dearer^  than 
all  life  and  love  to  them. 

1  Johniii.  16;  2  Cor.  ix.  15.  2  John  vi.  27.  ^Matt. 
xiii.  46.  ■*  Matt.  xiii.  44.  ^  Qal.  i.  16  ;  John  xiv.  21. 
6isa..xxviii.  5.     ^phil.  Hi.  7,  8.     ^  Matt.  x.  37-39. 


Precious  Things, 


95 


III. 

**  Behold,  I  lay  in  Zion  a  chief  corner  stone,  elect, 
precious." — i  Pet.  ii.  6. 

Marvellous  ^  and  very  precious  is  the  Corner 

Stone  Elect : 
Though  rejected  "  by  the  builders,  chosen  ^  by 

the  Architect. 
All-supporting,"*  all-uniting,  and  all-crowning, 

tried  5  and  sure  ; 
True  Foundation,^  yet  true  Headstone'  of  His 

temple  bright  and  pure. 

^  Ps.  cxviii.  23.  2  Ps  cxviii.  22  ;  Isa.  liii.  3.  ^  i 
Pet.  ii.  4.  *  Eph.  ii.  20-22  ;  iv.  15,  16.  ^  Isa.  xxviii.  16. 
^  I  Cor.  iii.  11.     7  Zech.  iv.  7. 

IV. 

*' Ye  know  that  ye  were  not  redeemed  with  corrupt- 
ible _  things,  .  .  .  but  with  the  precious  blood  of 
Christ,  as  of  a  lamb  without  blemish  and  without 
spot." — I  Pet.  i.  18,  19. 

Now,  in  reverent  awe  and  wonder,  touch  the 

theme  of  deepest  laud,^ 
Precious  blood  of  Christ  that  bought  -  us  and 

hath  made  us  nigh^  to  God  ! 
His  own'*  blood,  O  love  unfathomed  !  shed  for 

those  who  loved  Him  not  ;5 
Mighty   fountain   always   open/  cleansing*^  us 

from  every  spot. 

1  Rev.  V.  9.     2  Acts  XX.  28.     3  Eph.  ii.   13.     4  Heb. 
ix.  12.     5  Rom.  V.  10.     ^Zech.  xiii.  i.     "*  \  John  i.  7. 


g6  "  Under  His  Shadow^ 

V. 

*'  How  precious  also  are  Thy  thoughts  unto  me,  O 
God  !  how  great  is  the  sum  of  them  !  "-  Ps»  cxxxix.  17. 

Oh  how  wonderful^  and  precious  are  Thy 
thoughts  to  us,  O  God  ! 

Outlined  in  creation,  blazoned  on  redemp- 
tion's banner  broad ; 

Infinite  and  deep^  and  dazzling  as  the  noontide 
heavens  3  above ; 

Yet    more    wonderful    to     usward    are    Thy 

thoughts  of  peace  '*  and  love. 

^  Ps.  xl.  5,  17.  2  Ps.  xcii.  5  ;  Rom.  xi.  33,  34. 
"^  Isa.  Iv.  8,  9.     *  Jer.  xxix.  11. 

VI. 

**  Whereby  are  given  unto  us  exceeding  great  and 
precious  promises,  that  by  these  ye  might  be  partakers 
of  the  Divine  nature." — 2  Pet.  i.  4. 

Then,  exceeding  great  and  precious  are  Thy 

promises  Divine ; 
Given  ^  by  Christ,   and  by  the   Spirit  sealed 

with  sweetest  **  AlP  are  thine  !  " 
Precious  in  their  peace  and  power,  ^  in  their 

sure  *  and  changeless  might ; 
Strengthening,^    comforting,^    transfonning  ;  ^ 

suns  by  day  and  stars  by  night. 

1  John  xvii.  14  ;  2  Cor.  i.  20.  ^  Compare  1  Cor.  li.  12 
and  iii.  21.  ^  i  Thess.  ii.  13.  *  Heb.  x,  23  ;  Matt, 
xxiv.  35.     *  Matt.  iv.  4.     ^  Rom.  xv.  4.     7  2  Pet.  i.  4. 


Precious  Thuis's. 


97 


VII. 
**To   them    that  have    obtained    like  precious  faith 
with  us  through  the    righteousness    of   God,   and  our 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ." — 2  Fet.  i.  i. 

Precious  faith  our  God  hath  given  :  rich  ^  in 

faith  is  rich  indeed  ! 
Fire-tried  ^  gold  from  His  own  treasury,  fully 

meeting  every  need : 
Channel  ^  of  His  grace  abounding ;  bringing 

peace  "*  and  joy  and  light ; 
Purifying,^  overcoming  ;  ^   linking  ^  weakness 

with  His  might. 

1  Jas.  ii.  5.  2  Rev.  -{n.  18.  ^  Heb.  xi.  33:  Rom. 
V.  2.  *  Rom.  V.  I,  2.  5  Acts  xv.  9,  ^  i  John  v.  4. 
'  Isa.  xxvii.  5  ;  2  Cor.  xii.  q. 

VIII. 
"  The   precious   ointment  upon  the  head,   that  ran 
down  upon  the  beard,  even  Aaron's  beard  ;  that  went 
down  to  the  skirts  of  his  garments." — Ps.  cxxxiii.  2. 

Precious  ointment,  very  costly,^  of  chiefs 
odours  pure  and  sweet, ^ 

Holy  gift  for  royal  priesthood/  thus  for  temple- 
service  meet ; 

Such  the  Spirit's  precious  unction,^  oil  of  glad- 
ness ^  freely  ''shed, 

Sanctifying  and  abiding^  on  the  consecrated 

head.  ^ 

1  John  xii.  3.  2  Exod.  xxx.  23.  ^  Exod.  xx.x.  34,  35. 
*  Exod.  xxx.  30  ;  I  Pet.  ii.  9.  ^  i  John  ii.  20.  ^  Isa. 
Ixi.  3.    "Titus  iii.  5,  6.    ^  i  John  ii.  27.     ^  Lev.  viii.  12. 


II 


98  "  Under  His  Shadowr 

IX. 

*'  How  excellent  {inarg.  precious)  is  Thy  ioving- 
kiudness,  O  God  !  therefore  the  children  of  men  put 
their  trust  under  the  shadow  of  Thy  wings."  —  Fj>. 
xxxvi.  7  ;  Isa.  liv.  8,  10. 

Who  shall  paint  the  flash  of  splendour  from 
the  opened  casket  bright, 

When  His  precious  loving-kindness  beams 
upon  the  quickened  sight ! 

Priceless  jewels  ever  gleaming  with  imperish- 
able ^  ray, 

God  vnW  never  take  it  from  -  us,  though  the 
mountains  ^  pass  away. 

•   1  Ps.  XXV.  6.    2  Ps.  Ixxxix.  33.    3  Isa.  Hv.  10. 

X. 

**It  cannot  be  valued  with  the  gold  of  Ophir, 
with  the  precious  onyx,  or  the  sapphire.  No  men- 
tion shall  be  made  of  coral  or  of  pearls  :  for  the  price 
of  wisdom  is  above  rubies." — Job  xxviii.  16,  18. 

Far   more   precious  ^  than   the   ruby,    or   the 

crystal's  ^  rainbow  light, 
Valued  not  with  precious  onyx  or  with  pearl 

and  sapphire  bright. 
Freely  ^  given  to  all  who  ask  it,  is  the  wisdom 

from  above, 
Pure  and  peaceable  and  gentle,'*  full  of  fruits 

of  life  and  love. 

1  Prov.  iii.  15  ;  xx.  15  ;  xxiv.  4.  ^  Job  xxviii.  17. 
^  Jas.  i.  5.     *  Jas.  iii.  17. 


Precious  Things.  99 

XI. 

"  Blessed  of  the  Lord  be  his  land  for  the  precious 
things  of  heaven,  for  the  dew,  and  for  the  deep  that 
coucheth  beneath,  and  for  the  precious  fruits  brought 
forth  by  the  sun.  and  for  the  precious  things  put  forth 
by  the  moon,  and  for  the  chief  things  of  the  ancient 
mountains,  and  for  the  precious  things  of  the  lasting 
hills,  and  for  the  precious  things  of  the  earth."  — 
T>eiit.  xxxiii.  13-16. 

Nor  withhold  we  glad  thanksgiving  for  His 

mercies  ever  new,  ^ 
Precious  things  of  earth  and  heaven,  sun  and 

rain  and  quickening  dew  ; 
Precious  fruits  and  varied   crowning  ^  of  the 

year  His  goodness  fills, 
Chief  things  of  the  ancient  mountains,  precious 

things  of  lasting  hills. 

1  Lam.  iii.  23.     2  pg.  Ixv.  11. 

XII. 

"  If  thou  take  forth  the  precious  from  the  vile,  thou 
shalt  be  as  My  mouth," — Jer.  xv.  19. 

Such  His  gifts  :  but  mark  we  duly  our  respon- 
sibility 

Unto  Him  whose  name  is  Holy,  infinite  in 
purity  ; 

Sin  and  self  no  longer  serving,  take  the  pre- 
cious from  the  vile, 

So  His  power  shall  rest  upon  thee,  thou  shalt 
dwell  beneath  His  smile. 


loo         "  U7ider  His  Shadow J^ 


XIII. 

"  The   precious  sons    of   Zion,  comparable    to    fine 
gold," — Lam.  iv.  2. 

Sons  of  Zion,  ye  are  precious  in  your  heavenly 

Father's  sight,  ^ 
Ye  are  His  peculiar  -  treasure,  ye  His  jewels  ^ 

of  delight ; 
Sought  ^  and  chosen,   cleansed  and  polished, ^ 

purchased  with  transcendent  costj^ 
Kept*^  in  His  own  royal  casket,  never,  never  ^ 

to  be  lost. 

^  Isa.  xliii.  4.  ^V^.  cxxxv.  4.  ^Mal.  iii.  17.  *  Isa. 
Ixii.  12,  5ps_  cxliv.  12.  6  ]\iatt.  xiii.  46;  Gal.  i.  4, 
~  I  Pet.  i.  5.     8  John  x.  28. 

XIV. 

_  **  That  the  trial  of  your  faith,  being  much  more  pre- 
cious than  of  gold  that  perisheth,  though  it  be  tried 
with  fire,  might  be  found  unto  praise  and  honour  and 
glory  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus  Christ." — i  Pet.  i.  7, 

Precious,  more  than  gold  that  wasteth,  is  the 

trial  of  your  faith, 
Fires  ^  of  anguish  or  temptation  ^  cannot  dim 

it,  cannot  scathe  ! 
Your  Refiner^  sitteth  watching  till  His  image'* 

shineth  clear, 
For  His  glory,  praise  and  honour,  when  ^  the 

Saviour  shall  appear. 

1  I  Pet.  iv.  12.  2  Jas.  i.  12.  ^  Mai.  iii.  3  ;  Zech.  xiii.  9. 
*  Roni.  viii.  29.     ^  i  Pet.  iv.  13. 


Precious  ThiiiQ's.  loi 

XV. 

''Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of 
His  saints." — Ps.  cxvi.  15. 

Precious,  precious  to  Jehovah  is  His  children's 

holy  sleep ;  ^ 
He  is  with  them  in  the  passing  -  through  the 

waters  cold  and  deep  : 
Everlasting  3  love  enfolds  them  softly,  sweetly 

to  His  breast, 
Everlasting  love  receives  ^  them  to  His  glory 

and  His  rest.^ 

^  I  Thess.  iv.    14.     ^  Jsa.   xllii.    2.      ^  jej-.   xxxi.    3. 
*Ps.lxxiii.  24.     5  isa.  xi.  io{via7'^.). 

XVI. 


(< 


He  showed  me  that  great  city,  the  holy  Jenisalem, 
descending  out  of  heaven  from  God,  having  the  glory 
of  God  :  and  her  light  was  like  unto  a  stone  most  pre- 
cious ;  even  like  a  jasper  stone,  clear  as  crystal." — Rev. 
xxi.  10,  II. 

Pause  not  here, — the  Holy  City,  glorious  in 

God's  light,  behold ! 
Like   unto  a   stone   most   precious,    clear   as 

crystal,  pure  as  gold  : 
Strong    foundations^    fair^    with     sapphires, 

sardius  and  chrysolite. 
Blent  v/ith  amethyst  and  jacinth,  emerald  and 

topaz  bright. 

1  Rev,  xxi.  19,  20.         2  isa,  liv.  11. 


I02 


"  Under   His  SJiadoiuT 


XVII. 

*'A  city  which  hath  foundations,  whose  builder  and 
maker  is  God." — Heb.  xi.  lo. 

Glorious  dwelling  of  the  holy,  where  no  gi*ief  ^ 
or  gloom  of  sin  - 

Through  the  pure  and  pearly  portals  ^  ever- 
more shall  enter  in  : 

Christ  its  light"*  and  God  its  temple,^  Christ 
its  song  ^  of  endless  laud  ! 

O  what  precious  consummation  of  the  precious 
things  of  God  ! 

^  Isa.  XXXV.  lo.  2  isa.  li.  i  ;  Rev.  xxi.  27.  ^  Rev. 
xxi.  21.  *  Isa.  Ix.  19,  20;  Rev.  xxi.  23.  ^  Rev.  xxi.  22. 
6  Ps.  cxviii.  14  ;  Rev.  v.  9-14. 


TINY  TOKENS, 


THE  murmur  of  a  waterfall 
A  mile  away, 
The  rustle  when  a  robin  lights 

Upon  a  spray, 
The  lapping  of  a  lowland  stream 

On  dipping  boughs, 
The  sound  of  grazing  from  a  herd 

Of  gentle  cows. 
The  echo  from  a  wooded  hill 

Of  cuckoo's  call. 
The  quiver  through  the  meadow  grass 

At  evening  fall  : — 
Too  subtle  are  these  harmonies 

For  pen  and  rule, 
Such  music  is  not  understood 

By  any  school : 
But  when  the  brain  is  overwrought. 

It  hath  a  spell, 
Beyond  all  human  skill  and  power, 

To  make  it  well. 


io5  "  Under  His   Shadow T 


II. 

The  memory  of  a  kindly  word 

For  long  gone  by, 
The  fragrance  of  a  fading  flower 

Sent  lovingly, 
The  gleaming  of  a  sudden  smile 

Or  sudden  tear, 
The  warmer  pressure  of  the  hand, 

The  tone  of  cheer. 
The  hush  that  means  *' I  cannot  speak, 

But  I  have  heard !  " 
The  note  that  only  bears  a  verse 

From  God's  own  word  : — 
Such  tiny  things  we  hardly  count 

As  ministry  ; 
The  givers  deeming  they  have  shown 

Scant  sympathy  ; 
But,  when  the  heart  is  overwrought, 

Oh  who  can  tell 
The  power  of  such  tiny  things 

To  make  it  well ! 


Mischief  Makijig. 


107 


MISCHIEF  MAKING, 

ONLY  a  tiny  dropping 
From  a  tiny  hidden  leak  ; 
But  the  flow  is  never  stopping, 
And  the  flaw  is  far  to  seek. 

Only  some  trickling  water, 

Nothing  at  all  at  first ; 
But  it  grows  to  a  valley-slaughter, 

For  the  reservoir  has  burst  ! 

The  wild  flood  once  in  motion, 
Who  shall  arrest  its  course? 

As  well  restrain  the  ocean 
As  that  ungoverned  force  ! 

Mourn  for  the  desolations. 
And  help  the  ruined  men  ! 

Till  next  spring's  fair  creations 
Make  the  valley  smile  again. 

Help  with  a  free,  pure  pity, 

For  your  hands  in  this  are  clean, 

You  dwelt  in  the  far-off  city, 
With  many  a  mile  between. 

You  did  not  watch  the  flowing 
Of  the  treacherous,  trickling  rill  ; 

You  did  not  aid  the  growing 
Of  the  tiny  rifts  in  the  hill. 


]o8 


ti   TT, 


Under  His   SJiadowP 


What  if  you  had  ?     I  leave  it, 
It  is  too  dark  a  thought ; 

How  could  the  heart  conceive  it  ? 
How  came  it,  all  unsought  ? 

II. 
A  look  of  great  affliction, 

As  you  tell  what  one  told  you, 
With  a  feeble  contradiction, 

Or  a  "hope  it  is  not  true  I" 

A  story  quite  too  meagre 

For  naming  any  more, 
Only  your  friend  seems  eager 

To  know  a  little  more. 

No  doubt  of  explanation. 
If  all  was  known,  you  see  ; 

One  might  get  information 
From  Mrs.  A.   or  B. 

Only  some  simple  queries 

Passed  on  from  tongue  to  tongue, 
Though  the  ever-growing  series 

Has  out  of  nothing  sprung. 

Only  a  faint  suggestion. 

Only  a  doubtful  hint. 
Only  a  leading  question 

With  a  special  tone  or  tint. 


Leajii/ig  over  the   Waterfall.      T09 

Only  a  low  "  I  wonder  !  " 

Nothing  unfair  at  all  ; 
But  the  whisper  grows  to  thunder, 

And  a  scathing  bolt  may  fall  ; 

And  a  good  ship  is  dismasted, 
And  hearts  are  like  to  break. 

And  a  Christian  life  is  blasted, 
For  a  scarcely-guessed  mistake  ! 


LEANING  OVER  THE    WATERFALL. 

A  young  lady,  age  20,  fell  over  the  rocks  at  the 
Swallow  Waterfall  in  the  summer  of  1873,  and  was  lost 
to  sight  in  a  moment.  The  body  was  not  recovered 
till  four  hours  afterwards. 


LEANING  over  the  waterfall ! 
J     Lured  by  the  fairy  sight, 
Heeding  not  the  warning  call, 

Watching  the  foam  and  the  flow. 
Smooth  and  dark,  or  swift  and  bright. 
Here  in  the  shade  and  there  in  the,  light  ! 

Oh  who  could  know 
The  coming  sorrow,  the  nearing  woe  ! 


no  "  Under  His   Shadow  J' 

Leaning  over  the  waterfall  I 

Only  a  day  before 
She  had  spoken  of  Jesii's  wondrous  call, 

As  He  trod  the  waves  of  Galilee. 
They   asked,  as  she  gazed    from    the    sunset 

shore, 
**  If  He  walked  that  water,  what  would  you 

do?" 
Then  fell  the  answer,  glad  and  true, 

**  If  He  beckoned  me, 
I  would  go  to  Him  on  the  pathless  sea." 


Leaning  over  the  waterfall 
Only  a  moment  before  I 

And  then  the  slip,  the.  helpless  call, 

The  plunge  unheard  in  the  pauseless  roar 
By  the  startled  watchers  on  the  shore  ; 

And  the  feet  that  stood  by  the  waterfall 
So  fair  and  free, 

Are  standing  with  Christ  by  the  ciystal  sea. 


Leaning  over  the  waterfall  ! 

Have  you  not  often  leant — 
(What  should  hinder  ?  or  what  appal  ?) 
Freely,  fearlessly,  over  the  brink, 


Merrily  glancing  adown  the  stream, 
Or  gazing  rapt  in  a  musical  dream 

At  the  lovely  waters  ?     But  pause  and  think — 
Who  kept  your  feet, 

And  suffered  you  not  such  death  to  meet? 

Leaning  over  the  waterfall  ! 

What  if  your  feet  had  slipped  ? 
Never  a  moment  of  power  to  call, 

Never  a  hand  in  time  to  save 

From  the  terrible  rush  of  the  ruthless  wave  I 
Hearken  !  would  it  be  ill  or  well 

If  thus  yott  fell  ? 
Hearken  !  would  it  be  heaven  or  hell  ? 


Leaning  over  the  waterfall  ! 

Listen,  and  learn,  and  lean  ! 
Listen  to  Him  whose  loving  call 

Soundeth  deep  in  your  heart  to-day  ! 

Learn  of  Jesus,  the  only  way. 
How  to  be  holy,  how  to  be  blest  ! 

Lean  on  His  breast, 
And  yours  shall  be  safety  and  joy  and  rest. 


112 


"  Under  His   ShadowP 


FOREST  VOICES, 

''T^HE  forest  hath  its  voices, 
JL     Whose  sweetness  aye  rejoices, 
Or  soothes  the  spirit  wondrously ; 

Borne  on  their  leafy  wings, 

They  tell  of  quiet  things 
And  mingle  in  strange  harmony. 

There  is  a  murmuring  song, 

A  cadence  soft  and  long, 
Evoking  dreams  of  still  delight ; 

There  is  a  clarion  note, 
.  Whose  blithesome  echoes  float 
Chasing  the  darkling  spells  of  grief  and  night. 

There  is  a  whispering  sound 

W^ithin  the  forest-bound. 
Telling  the  heart  of  things  unseen  ; 

That  nameless  holy  thrill 

Passeth  o'er  vale  and  hill 
And  through  the  dark  and  lone  ravine. 

It  is  a  harp  sublime 

With  ever-varying  chime, 
Awakening  feelings  ever  new ; 

For,  tuned  by  Him  who  made 

The  all-harmonious  shade. 
Each  forest-voice  is  sweet  and  true. 


TJie  Turned  Lesson. 


113 


THE  TURNED  LESSON. 


li 


I 


THOUGHT  I  knew  it  !"  she  said, 
"I  thoufrht  I  had  learnt  it  quite  I" 
But  the  gentle  Teacher  shook  her  head, 

With  a  grave  yet  loving  light 
In  the  eyes  that  fell  on  the  upturned  face, 

As  she  gave  the  book 
With  the   mark   still   set   in   the    self-same 
place. 

*'I  thought  I  knew  it  !"  she  said; 

And  a  heavy  tear  fell  down, 
As  she  turned  away  with  bending  head, 

Yet  not  for  reproof  or  frown. 
Not  for  the  lesson  to  learn  again, 

Or  the  play  hour  lost  ; — 
It  was  something  else  that  gave  the  pain. 

She  could  not  have  put  it  in  words. 

But  her  Teacher  understood, 
As  God  understands  the  chirp  of  the  birds 

In  the  depth  of  an  autumn  wood. 
And  a  quiet  touch  on  the  reddening  cheek 

Was  quite  enough  ; 
No  need  to  question,  no  need  to  speak. 


M 


114  ''''Under  His  Shadow P 

Then  the  gentle  voice  was  heard, 

'*Now  I  will  try  you  again!" 
And  the  lesson  was  mastered, — every  word  I 

Was  it  not  worth  the  pain  ? 
Was  it  not  kinder  the  task  to  turn, 

Than  to  let  it  pass, 
As  a  lost,  lost  leaf  that  she  did  not  learn? 

Is  it  not  often  so, 

That  we  only  learn  in  part. 
And  the  Master's  testing-time  may  show 

That  it  was  not  quite  *'by  heart"? 
Then  He  gives,  in  His  wise  and  i:)atient  grace, 

That  lesson  again 
With  the  mark  still  set  in  the  self- same  place. 

Only,  st-ay  by  His  side 

Till  the  page  is  really  known, 
It  may  be  we  failed  because  we  tried 

To  learn  it  all  alone. 
And  now  that  He  would  not  let  us  lose 

One  lesson  of  love, 
(For  He  knows  the  loss,)— can  we  refuse? 

But  oh  !  how  could  we  dream 
That  we  knew  it  all  so  well  ! 


The  Turned  Lesson. 


115 


\ 


Reading  so  fluently,  as  we  deem, 
What  we  could  not  even  spell  ! 
And  oh  !  how  could  we  grieve  once  more 

That  Patient  One 
Who  has  turned  so  many  a  task  before  ! 

That  waiting  One,  who  now 

Is  letting  us  try  again  ; 
Watching  us  with  the  patient  brow 

That  bore  the  wreath  of  pain  ; 
Thoroughly  teaching  what  He  would  teach, 

Line  upon  line, 
Thoroughly  doing  His  work  in  each. 

Then  let  our  hearts  **be  still," 
Though  our  task  is  turned  to-day  ; 

Oh  let  Him  teach  us  what  He  will, 
In  His  own  gracious  way. 

Till,  sitting  only  at  Jesu's  feet, 
As  we  learn  each  line 

The  hardest  is  found  all  clear  and  sweet  ! 

"^  March  2%th,  1 876. 


Ii6  "  U7ider  His  Shadow.''^ 


TO  HELGA, 

COME   do^\^l,  and  show  the  dwellers  faj- 
below 
What  God   is   painting    in  each  mountain 

place  ! 
Show  His  fair  colours,  and  His  perfect  grace, 
Dowering  each  blossom  born  of  sun  and  snow  : 
His  tints,  not  thine  !     Thou  art  God's  copyist, 
O  gifted  Helga  !    His  thy  golden  height, 
.  Thy  purple  depth,  thy  rosy  sunset  light, 
Thy  blue  snow-shadows,  and  thy  weird  white 

mist. 
Reveal  His  works  to  many  a  distant  land ! 

Paint  for  His  praise,  oh  paint  for  love  of  Him  ! 
He  is  thy  Master,  let  Him  hold  thy  hand. 

So  thy  pure  heart  no  cloud  of  self  shall  dim. 
At  His  dear  feet  lay  down  thy  laurel-store. 
Which  crimson  proof  of  thy  redemption  bore. 

September  i^tJi^  1876. 


/;/  Re7tiembrance  of  Princess  Alice.  117 


IN  LOYAL    AND    LOVING   REMEM- 
BRANCE OF  PRINCESS  ALICE, 

[Written  to  accompany  a  memorial  wreath  of  white 
roses  and  palm  leaves,  painted  by  the  Baroness  Helga 
von  Cramm.     Published  by  Caswell  and  Sons.] 

TWO   nations   mourn  !      The    same   great 
grief  is  known 
By  human  hearts  on  either  side  the  sea, 
Mourning   with   those   who  yet   must   mourn 
alone 
Upon  the  silent  height  where  only  He 
Can  come  and  whisper  comfort,  who  hath  worn 
The  lonely  diadem  of  cruel  thorn. 

Mourning  for  her  whose  royal  love  had  shown 
Secrets  of  comfort  in  the  darkest  days; 

Who,  like  her  Master,  stooping  from  a  throne 
The  suffering:  or  the  lost  could  heal  or  raise : 

Leaving,  like  Him,  example  pure  and  bright, 

For  court  or  cottage  home  a  starry  light. 

Two  nations  mourn  ;  a  hand  from  each  would 

lay 
Fair  flowers  and  simple  verse  upon  her  tomb 

to-day. 

December  2yd^  1879. 


ii8 


"  Under  His  ShadowT 


OUR  RED  LETTER  DAYS, 

MY    Alpine    staff   recalls     each    shining 
height, 
Each  pass  of  grandeur  with  rejoicing  gained, 
Carved  with  a  lengthening  record,  self  ex- 
plained, 
Of  mountain-memories  sublime  and  bright. 
No  valley-life  but  hath  some  mountain  days, 
Bright  summits  in  the  retrospective  view, 
And  toil-won  passes  to  glad  prospects  new, 
Fair  sunlit  memories  of  joy  and  praise. 
Grave  on  thy  heart  each  past  **red  letter  day!" 
Forget  not  all  the  sunshine  of  the  way 
By  which  the  Lord  hath  led  thee ;  answered 

prayers, 
And  joys  unasked ;  strange  blessings,  lifted  cares, 
Grand  promise-echoes.     Thus  thy  life  shall  be 
One  record  of  His  love  and  faithfulness  to  thee. 


THE  A  WAKENING, 

SO  it  has  come  to  you,  dear. 
Come  so  soon  ! 
Come  in  the  sunshine  early. 
Come  in  the  morning  pearly. 
Not  in  the  blaze  of  noon. 


Yes,  it  has  come  to  you,  dear, 

Strange  and  sweet  ; 
Come  ere  the  merry  May-time 
Melts  to  the  glowing  hay-time, 
Hushed  in  the  sultry  heat. 

Come — with  mysterious  shadow, 

Weird  and  new — 
Come  with  a  magic  lustre 
Hung  on  the  shining  cluster 
Ripening  fast  for  you. 

Come  !   and  the  exquisite  minor, 

Rich  and  deep, 
Swells  with  yEolian  blending 
Chords  of  the  spirit,  ending 
Boyhood's  enchanted  sleep. 

Sleep  that  is  past  for  ever  ! 

Is  it  gain  ? 
What  does  the  waking  seem  like? 
Love  that  is  only  dream-like 
Sings  not  a  truthful  strain. 

Hearts  that  have  roused  and  listened 

Never  more, 
(Though  they  may  miss  the  crossed  tones, 
Though  they  may  mourn  the  lost  tones,) 
Sleep  as  they  slept  before. 


I20         "  Under  His  Shadoiv,^^ 

Come  !  and  the  great  transition 

Now  is  past ! 
Never^  again  the  boy-life, 
Only  the  pain — and  joy-life, 
More  of  the  first  than  la^t. 

Come  !  and  they  do  not  guess  it, 

Why  such  a  change  I 
Why  should  the  mirth  and  riot 
Tone  into  manly  quiet  ! 
Is  it  not  passing  strange  ? 

Come  !    'Tis  a  night  of  wonder 

At  this  call. 
Characters  cabalistic, 
W^ritings  all  dim  and  mystic 
Tremble  upon  the  wall. 

Come  !    am  I  glad  or  sony? 

Wait  and  see  ! 
Wait  for  God's  silent  moulding, 
Wait  for  His  full  unfolding, 
Wait  for  the  days  to  be. 


Golden  Land.  121 

GOLDEN  LAND. 
(Song.    For  music  by  Tito  Mattel) 

FAR  from  home  alone  I  wander, 
Over  mountain  and  pathless  wave ; 
But  the  fair  land  that  shineth  yonder 
Claimeth  the  love  that  erst  it  gave. 
Golden  Land,  so  far,  so  nearing! 

Land  of  those  who  wait  for  me  ! 
Ever  brighter  the  vision  cheering, 
Golden  Land,   I  haste  to  thee  I 

On  my  path  a  golden  sunlight 

Softly  falls  where'er  I  roam, 
And  I  know  it  is  the  one  light 

Both  of  exile  and  of  home. 
Golden  Land,  so  far,  so  near, 
On  my  heart  engraven  clear, 
Though  I  wander  from  strand  to  strand, 
Dwells  my  heart  in  that  Golden  Land. 

September  15//^,  1876. 


APRIL. 


OTHE  wealth  of  pearly  blossom,  O  the 
woodland'semerald  gleam  ! 
O   the    welcome,    welcome   sunshine   on    the 
diamond- sparkling  stream 


122  "  Under  His  Shadow P 

O  the  carol  from  the  hawthorn  and  the  trill 

from  dazzling  blue  ! 
O  the  glory  of  the  springtime,  making  all  things 
bright  and  new  ! 
O  the  rosy  eve's  surrender 
To  the  Easter  moonlight  tender  ! 
O  the  early  morning  splendour, 

Fresh  and  fragrant,  cool  and  clear, 
In  the  rising  of  the  year  ! 
O  the  gladness  of  the  children  after  all  the 

dismal  days, 
In  the  freedom  and  the  beauty  and  the  heart- 
rejoicing  rays  ! 
Do  we  chill  the  gleeful  spirit,  check  the  pulses 

bounding  fast, 
By  the  mournful  doubt  suggested  :   *' Ah,  but, 
darling,  will  it  last  ?  " ' 


Though  we  know  there  may  be  tempests,  and 

we  know  there  will  be  showers, 
Yet  we  know  they  only  hasten  summer's  richer 

crown  of  flowers. 
Blossom  leads  to  golden  fruitage,  bursting  bud 

to  foliage  soon  ; 
April's  pleasant  gleam  shall  strengthen  to  the 

glorious  glow  of  June. 


April  leads  to  joyous  May  time, 
With  its  ever  lengthening  daytime  ; 
This  again  to  joyous  hay  time, 

When  the  harvest-home  is  near 
In  the  zenith  of  the  year. 
So  we  only  tell  the  children  of  the  summer 

days  in  store, 
Of  the  treasures  and  the  beauties  that  shall  open 

more  and  more. 
So  the  silver  carol  rises,  for  the  winter  time  is 

past  ! 
When  the  summer  days  are  coming,  need  we 
ask  if  spring  shall  last? 


O  the  gladness  of  the  spirit,  when  the  true  and 

only  Light 
Pours   in   radiant    resplendence,    making    all 

things  new  and  bright  ! 
When  the  love  of  Jesus  shineth  in  its  over- 
coming power, 
When   the   secret  sweet  communion  hallows 
every  passing  hour. 
O  the  calm  and  happy  resting. 
Free  from  every  fear  molesting  ! 
O  the  Christ- victorious  breasting 
Of  the  tempter's  varied  art, 
In  the  springtime  of  the  heart  ! 


124  "  U7idcr  His  Shadow T 

O  the  freedom  and  the  fervour  after  all  the 
faithless  days  ! 

O  the  ever-new  thanksgiving  and  the  ever- 
flowing  praise ! 

Shall  we  tempt  the  gaze  from  Jesus,  and  a 
doubting  shadow  cast, 

Satan's  own  dark  word  suggesting  by  the 
whisper  *'  zy  it  lasts  "? 


Though  we  know  there   must   be  trials  and 

there  will  be  tears  below, 
Yet  we  know  His  glorious  purpose,  and  His 

promises  we  know ! 
Only  ask— '*  What  saith   the  Master?"    and 

believe  His  word  alone, 
That  "from  glory  unto  glory"  He  shall  lead, 
shall  change  His  own. 
Ever  more  and  more  bestowing, 
Love  and  joy  in  riper  gluwing, 
Faith  increasing,  graces  growing — 
Such  His  promises  to  you  ! 
He  is  faithful,  He  is  true  ! 
Each  Amen  becomes  an  anthem,  for  we  know 

He  will  fulfil 
All    the   purpose    of    His   goodness,   all    the 
splendour  of  His  will. 


Only  trust  the  living  Saviour,  only  trust  Him 

all  the  way, 
And  your   springtide   path    shall  brighten  to 

the  perfect  summer  day  ! 

February  (^th,  1877* 


MIZPAH, 
Messages  for  Absent  Friends. 

Only  a  leaf,  yet  it  shall  bear 

A  wealth  of  love,  of  mintage  true  ! 

Only  a  simple  earnest  prayer. 
That  silently  goes  up  for  you  ; 

Yet  you  and  I  may  never  know 

What  blessings  from  that  prayer  may  flow. 


*' Grace,  mercy,  peace." 
Triple  blossom,  rainbow-hued. 
Fresh  and  fragrant,  heaven-bedewed, 
Brightening  desert  solitude. 
Springing  from  the  Love  Divine, 
Love  that  ever  shall  entwine 
With  our  own,  with  yours  and  mine. 


126  "  Under  His  Shadow:' 


Upon  the  same  bright  morning  star 
Our  gaze  may  meet,  though  severed  far  ; 
The  Star  of  Bethlehem  to-day 
Shines  brightly  on  our  wintry  way  ; 
And,  gazing  on  its  radiance  clear, 
Our  hearts  may  meet,  and  we  are  near  ! 


As  the  soundinjT  shell  convevs 

The  murmur  of  the  sea, 
So  let  this  tiny  token  raise 

Some  memory  of  me. 
For  loving  thought  of  prayer  and  praise 

Fail  not  to  rise  for  thee. 


Though  the  circling  flight  of  time  may  find  us 

Far  apart,  or  severed  more  and  more 
Yet  the  farewell  always  lies  behind  us 

And  the  welcome  always  lies  before. 
Meanwhile  God  is  leading,  surely,  slowly, 

Through  the  shadows  with  a  hand  of  love, 
To  the  house  where,  'mid  the  myriads  holy, 

Only  welcomes  v/ait  us  both  above. 


ffi» 


LEAFLETS. 


HYMN  FOR  MARCH  z\,  1873. 


BEING     THE    DAY    APPOINTED    FOR     SPECIAL 
AND  UNITED  PRAYER  FOR  IRELAND. 

**  The  Isles  shall  wait  upon  Me,  and  on  Mhie  arm  sliall 
they  trust."— /iVT.  li,  5. 

FATHER,  we  would  plead  Thy  promise, 
bending  at  Thy  glorious  throne, 
That  the  isles  shall  wait  upon  Thee,  trusting 

in  Thine  arm  alone  ! 
One  bright  isle  we  bring  before  Thee,  ^^  hile  in 

faith  Thy  children  pray 
For  a  full  and  mighty  blessing,   with  united 
voice  to-day. 

Gracious  Saviour,  look  in  mercy  on  this  island 

of  the  West, 
•Win  the  wandering  and  the  weary  witli  Thy 

pardon  and  Thy  rest : 
As  the  only  Friend  and  Saviour  let  Thy  blessed 

name  be  owned, 
Who  hast  shed  Thy  blood  most  precious,  and 

for  ever  hast  atoned. 


4v 


Blessed  Spirit,  lift  Thy  standard,   pour  Thy 

grace,  and  shed  Thy  light !  * 

Lift  the  veil  and  loose  the  fetter ;  come  with 

new  and  quickening  might  ; 
Make  the  desert  places  blossom,  shower  Thy 

sevenfold  gifts  abroad  ; 
^lake  Thy  servants  wise  and  steadfast,  valiant 

for  the  truth  of  God. 

Triune  God  of  grace   and  glory,  be  the   isle 

for  which  we  plead. 
Shielded,  succoured  with  Thy  blessing,  strong 

in  every  hour  of  need  ; 
Flooded  with  Thy  truth  and  glory  (glowing 

sunlight  from  above), 
And   encompassed   with  the  ocean  of  Thine 

everlasting  love. 

Oh,  surround  Thy  throne  of  power,  with  Thine 

emerald  bow  of  peace  : 
Bid  the  wailing,  and  the  warring,  and  the  wild 

confusion  cease. 
Thou  remainest  King  for  ever, — Thou  shalt 

reign,  and  earth  adore  ! 
Thine  the  kingdom,  Thine  the  power,  Thine 

the  glory  evermore. 


i 


REALITY. 


a 


Father,  we  know  the  REALITY  of  Jesus 
Christ." — Words  tiscd  by  a  ivorkinau  in  prayer, 
October  i^th^  1875.* 

REALITY,  reality, 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Thou  art  to  me  ! 
From  the  spectral  mists  and  driving  clouds, 
From    the    shifting    shadows    and     phantom 

crowds ; 
From  unreal  words  and  unreal  lives. 
Where  truth  with  falsehood  feebly  strives  ; 
From  the  passings  away,  the  chance  and  change, 
Flickerings,  vanishings,  swift  and  strange, 
I  turn  to  my  glorious  rest  on  Thee, 
Who  art  the  grand  Reality. 

*  At  another  prayer  meeting  on  the  same  day  a 
young  Christian  who  had  been  witnessing  for  this 
'•  reality  "  among  those  who  called  religion  a  "  phan- 
tom "and  a  **  sham  "  prayed  earnestly,  "Lord  Jesus, 
let  Thy  dear  servant  write  for  us  what  Thou  art — Thou 
living,  bright  Reality!"  And,  urging  His  plea  with 
increasing  vehemence,  he  added,  "and  let  her  do  it 
this  very  iiigkt.^'  That  "very  night"  these  verses 
were  flashed  into  my  mind  ;  while  he  was  "  yet  speak- 
ing," they  were  written  and  dated.  Does  not  this  show 
the  "  reality  of  prayer"  ? 


132  ^'JJjidcr  His  Shadow J^ 

Reality  in  greatest  need, 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Thou  art  indeed  I 
Is  the  pilot  real,  who  alone  can  guide 
The  drifting  ship  through  the  midnight  tide  ? 
Is  the  lifeboat  real,  as  it  nears  the  wreck. 
And  the    saved  ones  leap  from  the  parting 

deck? 
Is  the  haven  real,  where  the  barque  may  flee 
From  the  autumn  gales  of  the  wild  North  Sea? 
Reality  indeed  art  Thou, 
^ly  Pilot,  Lifeboat,  Haven  now. 

Reality,  reality, 

In  brightest  days  art  Thou  to  me  ! 
Thou  art  the  sunshine  of  my  mirth. 
Thou  art  the  heaven  above  my  earth. 
The  spring  of  the  love  of  all  my  heart, 
And  the  Fountain  of  my  song  Thou  art  ; 
Fer  dearer  than  the  dearest  now, 
And  better  than  the  best,  art  Thou, 

Beloved  Lord,  in  whom  I  see 

Joy-giving,  glad  Reality. 

Reality,  reality, 
Lord  Jesus,  Thou  hast  been  to  me, 
When  I  thought  the  dream  of  life  was  past, 
And  **  the  Master's  home-call "  come  at  last  ; 


When  I  thought  I  only  had  to  wait 

A  little  while  at  the  Golden  Gate, — 

Only  another  day  or  two, 

Till  Thou  Thyself  should'st  bear  me  through. 

How  real  Thy  presence  was  to  me  ! 

How  precious  Thy  Reality  ! 

Reality,  reality. 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Thou  art  to  me  ! 
Thy  name  is  sweeter  than  songs  of  old, 
Thy  words  are  better  than  "  most  fine  gold." 
Thy  deeds  are  greater  than  hero -glory. 
Thy  life  is  grander  than  poet-story  : 
But  Thou,  Thyself,  for  aye  the  same, 
Art  more  than  words  and  life  and  name  ! 

Thyself 'Y\i.QVi  hast  revealed  to  me, 

In  glorious  Reality. 

Reality,  reality, 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  crowned  in  Thee. 
In  Thee  is  every  type  fulfilled. 
In  Thee  is  every  yearning  stilled 
For  perfect  beauty,  truth,  and  love  ; 
For  Thou  art  always  far  above 
The  grandest  glimpse  of  our  Ideal, 
Yet  more  and  more  we  know  Thee  real, 

And  marvel  more  and  more  to  see 

Thine  infinite  Reality. 


134 


"  Under  His   ShadoiuJ^ 


Reality,  reality 
Of  grace  and  glory  dwells  in  Thee. 

How  real  Thy  mercy  and  Thy  might  ! 

How  real  Thy  love,  how  real  Thy  light  ! 

How  real  Thy  tnith  and  faithfulness  ! 

How  real  Thv  blessino:  when  Thou  dost  bless  I 

How  real  Thy  coming  to  dwell  within ! 

How  real  the  triumphs  Thou  dost  win  ! 
Does  not  the  loving  and  glowing  heart 
Leap  up  to  own  how  real  Thou  art  ? 

Reality,  reality  ! 
Such  let  our  adoration  be  ! 
Father,  we  bless  Thee  with  heart  and  voice. 
For    the   v/ondrous   gi^ace   of  Thy   sovereign 

choice, 
That  patiently,  gently,  sought  us  out 
In  the  far-off  land  of  death  and  doubt. 
That  drew  us  to  Christ  by  the  Spirit's  might. 
That  opened  our  eyes  to  see  the  light 
That  arose  in  strange  reality, 
From  the  darkness  falling  on  Calvaiy. 


Real  it  V,  realitv. 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Thou  art  to  me  I 
My  glorious  King,  my  Lord,  my  God, 
Life  is  too  short  for  half  the  laud. 


Seiiletnent  Pour  Toi 

For  half  the  debt  of  praise  I  owe 

For  this  blest  knowledge,  that  "  I  know                 | 

The  reality  of  Jesus  Christ," — 

Unmeasured  blessing,  gift  unpriced  ! 

Will  I  not  praise  Thee  when  I  see 

In  the  long  noon  of  Eternity, 

Unveiled,  Thy  *'  bright  Reality 

• 

SEULEMENT  POUR 

TOI. 

[Written  for  and  sung  by  some  Swiss 

peasants  at  a 

Sunday  afternoon  Bible  reading,  July  23rd,  1876.J 

/^^UE  je  sois,  0  cher  Sauveur, 

V^     Seulement  a  Toi ! 

Hos.  iii.  I. 

Soit  I'amour  de  tout  men  coeur 

Matt.  xxii.  37. 

Seulement  pour  Toi. 

1 

Je  reviens  a  mon  Pere 

John  xiv.  6. 

Seulement  par  Toi, 

Ma  confiance  entiere 

Ps.  cxviii.  8. 

Sera  en  Toi, 

Seulement  en  Toi. 

Le  peche  Tu  as  porte 

2  Pet.  ii.  24. 

Seul,  seul  pour  moi ; 

t 

Et  Ton  sang  Tu  as  verse 

Seul,  seul  pour  moi. 

156 


••  Under  His   SJiadow.^'* 


Kcv.  V.  12. 


Acts  iv.  12 


Toute  gloirc,  toute  joie 
vSera  pour  Toi  ; 

L'esjDerance  et  la  foi 
Seront  en  Toi, 
Seulement  en  Toi. 


Aiijourd'hui,  O  cher  Seigneur,  sCor.  vi.  2. 

Acccptes-moi  !  Eph.  i.  6. 

Tu  es  seul  mon  grand  Sauveur,  isa.  xL\-.  20. 

Tu  es  mon  Roi.  ps.  xiiv.  4. 
Tons  mcs  moments,  tons  mes  jours  ^Cor.  v.  15. 

Seront  pour  Toi  ! 

Jesus,  gardes-moi  toujours  i>,a.  xxvii.  3. 
.   Seulement  pour  Toi, 
Seulement  pour  Toi. 


Que  je  chante  et  que  je  pleure 

Seulement  pour  Toi  \ 
Que  je  vive  et  que  je  meure 

Seulement  pour  Toi  I 
Jesus,  qui  m'as  tant  aime 

^lourant  pour  moi, 
Toute  mon  eternite 

Sera  pour  Toi, 

Seulement  pour  Toi. 


Ps.  XX  iii.  7. 


Rom.  xiv.  8. 


Gal.  ii.  20. 


I  Thcss.  iv.  17. 


Fixs-Haut. 


A  Song  in  the  NigJii. 


157 


A  SOXG  IN  THE  NICHT. 

[Written  in  severe  pain,  Sunday  afternoon,  October 
8th,  1876,  at  the  Pension  Wengen,  Alps.] 

I    TAKE  this  pain,   Lord  Jesus, 
From  Thine  own  hand, 
The  strength  to  bear  it  bravely 
Thou  wilt  command. 

I  am  too  weak  for  effort, 

So  let  me  rest, 
In  hush  of  sweet  submission, 

On  Thine  own  breast. 

I  take  this  pain.  Lord  Jesus, 

As  proof  indeed 
That  Thou  art  watching  closely 

!My  truest  need  ; 

That  Thou,  my  Good  Physician, 

Art  watching  still ; 
That  all  Thine  own  good  pleasure 

Thou  wilt  fulfil. 

I  take  this  pain,  Lord  Jesus ; 

What  Thou  dost  choose 
The  soul  that  really  loves  Thee 

Will  not  refuse. 


138  ''Under    His   Shadow P 

It  is  not  for  the  first  time 

I  tmst  to-day  ; 
For  Thee  mv  heart  has  never 

A  trustless  **  Nay  !  " 

I  take  this  pain,   Lord  Jesus ; 

But  what  beside? 
'Tis  no  unmingled  portion 

Thou  dost  provide. 

In  eveiy  hour  of  faintness 

My  cup  runs  o'er 
With  faithfulness  and  mercy, 

And  love's  sweet  store. 

I  take  this  pain.  Lord  Jesus, 

As  Thine  own  gift ; 
And  tme  though  tremulous  praises 

I  now  uplift. 

I  am  too  weak  to  sing  them, 

But  Thou  dost  hear 
The  whisper  from  the  pillow, 

Thou  art  so  near  ! 


'Tis  Thy  dear  hand,   O  Saviour, 
That  presseth  sore, 
,  The  hand  that  bears  the  nail-prints 
I      For  evermore. 


What  will  YoH  do  witJioiit  Him  ?     139 

And  now  beneath  its  shadow, 

Hidden  by  Thee, 
The  pressure  only  tells  me 

Thou  lovest  me  I 


WHAT  WHL    YOU  DO    WITHOUT 

HIM? 

I    COULD  not  do  without  Him  ! 
Jesus  is  more  to  me 
Than  all  the  richest,  fairest  gifts 

Of  earth  could  ever  be. 
But  the  more  I  find  Him  precious — 

And  the  more  I  find  Him  true — 
The  more  I  long  for  you  to  find 
What  He  can  be  to  you. 

You  need  not  do  without  Him, 

For  He  is  passing  by, 
He  is  waiting  to  be  gracious, 

Only  waiting  for  your  cry  : 
He  is  waiting  to  receive  you — 

To  make  you  all  His  own  ! 
Why  will  you  do  without  Him, 

And  wander  on  alone  ? 


I40 


"  Under  His   SJiadowP 


Why  will  you  do  without  Him? 

Is  He  not  kind  indeed  ? 
Did  He  not  die  to  save  you  ? 

Is  He  not  all  you  need  ? 
Do  you  not  want  a  Saviour? 

Do  you  not  want  a  Friend  ? 
One  who  will  love  you  faithfully, 

And  love  you  to  the  end? 

Why  will  you  do  without  Him  ? 

The  Word  of  God  is  true  ! 
The  world  is  passing  to  its  doom — 

And  you  are  passing  too. 
It  may  be  no  to-morrow 

Shall  dawn    or  you  or  me ; 
Why  will  you  run  the  awful  risk 

Of  all  eternity? 

What  will  you  do  without  Him, 

In  the  long  and  dreary  day 
Of  trouble  and  perplexity. 

When  you  do  not  know  the  way, 
And  no  one  else  can  help  you. 

And  no  one  guides  you  right. 
And  hope  comes  not  with  morning, 

And  rest  comes  not  with  night  ? 

You  could  not  do  without  Him, 
If  once  He  made  you  see 


]]7i(it  ivill  You  do  witJiottt  Him  ?     141 


The  fetters  that  enchain  you, 

Till  He  hath  set  you  free. 
If  once  you  saw  the  fearful  load 

Of  sin  upon  your  soul ; — 
The  hidden  plague  that  ends  in  death. 

Unless  He  makes  you  whole  I 

What  will  you  do  without  Him, 

When  death  is  drawing  near? 
Without  His  love — the  only  love 

That  casts  out  every  fear  ; 
When  the  shadow-valley  opens, 

Unlighted  and  unknown. 
And  the  terrors  of  its  darkness 

Must  all  be  passed  alone  ! 

What  will  you  do  without  Him, 

When  the  great  white  throne  is  set. 
And  the  Judge  who  never  can  mistake. 

And  never  can  forget, — 
The  Judge  whom  you  have  never  here 

As  Friend  and  Saviour  sought, 
Shall  summon  you  to  give  account 

Of  deed  and  word  and  thought? 

What  will  you  do  without  Him, 
When  He  hath  shut  the  door, 

And  you  are  left  outside,  because 
You  would  not  come  before  ? 


142  "  Under  His  Shadow P 


When  it  is  no  use  knocking. 

No  use  to  stand  and  wait  ; 
For  the  word  of  doom  tolls  through  your 
heart, 

That  terrible  '^Too  late!" 

You  cannot  do  without  Him  ! 

There  is  no  other  name 
By  which  you  ever  can  be  saved, 

No  way,  no  hope,  no  claim  ! 
Without  Him — everlasting  loss 

Of  love,  and  life,  and  light  ! 
Without  Him — everlasting  woe, 
.     And  everlasting  night. 

But  with  Him — oh  !  linth  Jesiis  ! 

Are  any  words  so  blest? 
With  Jesus,  everlasting  joy 

And  everlasting  rest ! 
With  Jesus — all  the  empty  heart 

Filled  wdth  His  perfect  love ; 
With  Jesus — perfect  peace  below. 

And  perfect  bliss  above. 

Why  should  you  do  without  Him  ? 

It  is  not  yet  too  late  ; 
He  has  not  closed  the  day  of  grace. 

He  has  not  shut  the  gate. 


Thy  Father  waits  for  thee,       143 

He  calls  you  I    hush  !    He  calls  you  ! 

He  would  not  have  you  go 
Another  step  without  Him, 

Because  He  loves  you  so. 

Why  will  you  do  without  Him  ? 

He  calls  and  calls  again — 
**Come  unto  IVIe  !    Come  unto  I\Ie  I" 

Oh,  shall  He  call  in  vain  ? 
He  wants  to  have  you  with  Him  ; 

Do  you  not  want  Him  too  ? 
You  cannot  do  without  Him, 

And  He  wants — even  you. 


THY  FATHER   WAITS  FOR  THEE. 

WANDERER  from  thy  Father's  home, 
So  full  of  sin,  so  far  away, 
Wilt  thou  any  longer  roam  ? 
Oh,  wilt  thou  not  return  to-day? 

Wilt  thou  ?    Oh,  He  knows  it  all. 
Thy  Father  sees,  He  meets  thee  here  ! 

Wilt  thou  ?    Hear  His  tender  call, 
*'  Return,  return  !  "  while  He  is  near. 


144 


"  Under  His   SJiadowP 


He  is  here  !    His  loving  voice 
Hath  reached  thee,  though  so  far  away  I 

He  is  waiting  to  rejoice, 
O  wandering  one,  o'er  thee  to-day. 

Waiting,  waiting  to  bestow 
His  perfect  pardon,  full  and  free ; 

Waiting,  waiting  till  thou  know 
His  wealth  of  love  for  thee,  for  thee  ! 

Rise  and  go  I    Thy  Father  waits 
To  w^elcome  and  receive  and  bless  ; 

Thou  shalt  tread  His  palace  gates 
In  royal  robe  of  righteousness. 

•Thine  shall  be  His  heart  of  love. 
And  thine  His  smile,  and  thine  His  home 

Thine  His  joy,  all  joys  above — 
O  wandering  child,  no  longer  roam  ! 


WILL   YOU  NOT  COME  / 

WILL  you  not  come  to  Him  or  Life  ? 
Why  will  ye  die,  oh  why  ? 
He  gave  His  life  for  you,  for  you  ! 
The  gift  is  free,  the  word  is  true  ! 

Will  you  not  come?  oh,  why  will  you  die? 


Will  yon  not  come  ? 


145 


Will  you  not  come  to  Him  for  Peace  ? 

Peace  through  His  cross  alone. 
He  shed  His  precious  blood  for  you  ; 
The  gift  is  free,  the  word  is  tnie  : 

He  is  our  Peace — oh,  is  He  your  own? 

Will  you  not  come  to  Him  for  Rest  ? 

All  that  are  weary,  come  ! 
The  rest  He  gives  is  deep  and  true, 
'Tis  offered  now,  'tis  offered  you  ! 

Rest  in  His  love,  and  rest  in  His  home. 

Will  you  not  come  to  Him  for  ^oy^ 

W^ill  you  not  come  for  this  ? 
He  laid  His  joys  aside  for  you, 
To  give  you  joy,  so  sweet,  so  true  : 

Sorrowing  heart,  oh,  drink  of  the  bliss  ! 

Will  you  not  come  to  Him  for  Love, 

Love  that  can  fill  the  heart  ! 
Exceeding  great,  exceeding  free  ! 
He  loveth  you,  He  loveth  me  ! 

W' ill  you  not  come  ?    Why  stand  you  apart  ? 

Will  you  not  come  to  Him  for  all  ? 

Will  you  not  "taste  and  see  " ? 
He  waits  to  give  it  all  to  you, 
The  gifts  are  free,  the  words  are  true ! 

Jesus  is  calling,  "  Come  unto  Me  !  " 


J. 


THE  SHINING  LIGHT,  THAT 
SHINE  TH  MORE  AND  MORE 
UNTO  THE  PERFECT  day:' 

(Prov.  iv.  18.) 

TO-DAY  the  golden  sunlight 
Is  full  and  broad  and  strong  ; 
The  glory  of  the  One  Light 

jMust  overflow  in  song  ; 
Song  that  floweth  ever, 

Sweeter  every  day, 
Song  whose  echoes  never. 
Never  die  away. 

How  shall  the  light  be  clearer 

That  is  so  bright  to-day  ? 
How  shall  the  hope  be  dearer 

That  pours  such  joyous  ray  ? 
I  am  only  waiting 

For  the  answer  golden, 
AYhat  faith  is  antedating 

Shall  not  be  withholden. 


CHURCH  MISSIONARY  JUBILEE 

HYMN. 

''  He  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  His  soul,  and  shall  be 
Eatisfied." — Isa.  liii.  ii. 

REJOICE  with  Jesus  Christ  to-day, 
All  ye  who  love  His  holy  sway  ! 
The  travail  of  His  soul  is  past, 
He  shall  be  satisfied  at  last. 

Rejoice  with  Him,  rejoice  indeed  ! 
For  He  shall  see  His  chosen  seed. 
But  ours  the  trust,  the  grand  employ, 
To  work  out  this  divinest  joy. 

Of  all  His  own  He  loseth  none, 
They  shall  be  gathered  one  by  one  ; 
He  gathereth  the  smallest  grain, 
His  travail  shall  not  be  in  vain. 

Arise  and  work  i    arise  and  pray 
That  He  would  haste  the  dawning  day  I 
And  let  the  silver  trumpet  sound, 
Wherever  Satan's  slaves  are  found. 

The  vanquished  foe  shall  soon  be  stilled, 
The  conquering  Saviour's  joy  fulfilled, 
Fulfilled  in  us,  fulfilled  in  them, 
His  crown,   His  royal  diadem. 


148 


"  Undc7'  His   S/iado7u" 


Soon,   soon  our  waiting  eyes  shall  see 
The  SavioiBi*'s  mighty  Jubilee  ! 
His  han-est  joy  is  filling  fast, 
He  shall  be  satisfied  at  last. 

Good  Friday,  1877. 


A   HAPPY  NEW  YEAR  TO    YOU  I 

NE^^'   mercies,  new  blessings,  new  light 
on  thy  way  ; 
New  courage,   new  hope,   and   new  strength 

for  each  day  ; 
Xew    notes  of  thanksgiving,  new  chords  of 

delight, 
New  praise  in  the  morning,  new  songs  in  the 

night  ; 
New  wine  in  thy  chalice,  new  altars  to  raise  ; 
New  fruits  for  thy  Master,  new  garments  of 

praise ; 
New  gifts  from  His  treasures,  new  smiles  from 

His  face  ; 
New  streams   from   the   Fountain  of  infinite 

gi'ace  ; 


New  stars  for  thy  crown,  and  new  tokens  of 
love  ; 

New  gleams  of  the  glory  that  waits  thee 
above  ; 

New  light  of  His  countenance  full  and  un- 
priced ; 

All  this  be  the  joy  of  thy  new  life  in  Christ  t 


ANOTHER    YEAR, 

ANOTHER  year  is  dawning  ! 
Dear  ^Master,  let  it  be 
In  working  or  in  waiting. 
Another  year  with  Thee. 

Another  year  of  leaning 
Upon  Thy  loving  breast, 

Of  ever-deepening  trustfulness. 
Of  quiet,  happy  rest. 

Another  year  of  mercies. 
Of  faithfulness  and  grace  ; 

Another  year  of  gladness 
In  the  shining  of  Thy  face. 


p 


Another  year  of  j^rogress, 
Another  year  of  praise  ; 

Another  year  of  proving 

Thy  presence  *'all  the  days. 

Another  year  of  service, 
Of  witness  for  Thy  love  ; 

Another  year  of  training 
For  holier  work  above. 

Another  year  is  dawning  ! 

Dear  Master,  let  it  be. 
On  earth,  or  else  in  heaven, 

Another  year  for  Thee  ! 


NE  W  YEAR'S  ,  WISHES, 

WHAT  shall  I  wish  thee? 
Treasures  of  earth  ? 
Songs  in  the  springtime. 

Pleasure  and  mirth? 
Flowers  on  thy  pathway, 

Skies  ever  clear? 
Would  this  ensure  thee 
A  Happy  New  Year  ? 


New   Yem's  Wishes, 


151 


What  shall  I  wish  thee  ? 

What  can  be  found 
Bringing  thee  sunshine 

All  the  year  round  ? 
Where  is  the  treasure, 

Lasting  and  dear, 
That  shall  ensure  thee 

A  Happy  New  Year? 

Faith  that  increaseth, 

Walking  in  light ; 
Hope  that  aboundeth, 

Happy  and  bright ; 
Love  that  is  perfect, 

Casting  out  fear ; 
These  shall  ensure  thee 

A  Happy  New  Year. 

Peace  in  the  Saviour, 

Rest  at  His  feet. 
Smile  of  His  countenance 

Radiant  and  sweet, 
Joy  in  His  presence  ! 

Christ  ever  near  ! 
This  will  ensure  thee 

A  Happy  New  Year  ! 


152 


"  Under  His   Shadow P 


'' FORGIVEN— EVEN  UNTIL  NOWy 

(Num.  xiv.  ig.) 
FOR  NEW  YEAR'S  DAY  1879. 

"  'THHOU  hast  forgiven — even  until  now  !  " 
JL      We  bless  Thee,  Lord,  for  this, 
And  take  Thy  great  forgiveness  as  we  bow 
In  depth  of  sorrowing  bliss ; 
While  over  all  the  long,  regretful  past 
This   veil  of  wondrous  grace  Thy  sovereign 
hand  doth  cast. 

"  Forgiven  until  now  I  "     For  Jesus  died 
•    To  take  our  sins  away  ; 
His  blood  was  shed,  and  still  the  infinite 
tide 
Flows  full  and  drcep  to-day. 
Me  paid  the  debt  ;  we  own  it,  and  go  free  ! 
The  cancelled  bond  is  cast  in  Love's  unfathomed 
sea. 

'*  Forgiven  until  now  !  "     For  God  is  tme  ; 

Faithful  and  just  is  He  ! 
Forgiving,  cleansing,  making  all  things  new  ! 
*'  Who  is  a  God  like  Thee  ?  '' 
O  precious  blood  of  Christ  that  saves  and  heals. 
While  all  its  cleansing  might  the  Holy  Ghost 
reveals. 


"  Fari^ivcii — even  until  nowP     1 53 


Yes,    *' even   until    now!"       And   so   we 
stand, 
Forgiven,  loved,  and  blessed, 
And,  covered  in  the  shadow  of  God's  hand, 
Believing,  are  at  rest. 
The  one  great  load  is  lifted  from  the  soul, 
That  henceforth  on  the  Lord  all  burdens  we 
may  roll. 

Yes,  **  even  until  now  \  "     Then  let  us  press 
With  free  and  willing  feet 
•  Along  the  King's  highway  of  holiness, 

Until  we  gain  the  street 
O  golden  crystal,  praising  purely  when 
^Ve  see  our  pardoning   Lord;    forgiven  until 
then! 


w 


* 


J 


I 


MATTHEW  XIV.    23. 


IT  is  the  quiet  evening  time,  the  sun  is  in  the 
west, 
And  earth  enrobed  in  purple  glow  awaits  her 

nightly  rest  ; 
The  shadows  of  the  mountain  peaks  are  length- 
ening o'er  the  sea, 
And  the  flowerets  close  their  eyelids  on  the 

shore  of  Galilee. 
The  multitude  are  gone  away,  their  restless  hum 

doth  cease, 
The  birds  have  hushed  their  music,  and  all  is 

calm  and  peace ; 
But  on  the  lonely  mountain  side  is  One,  whose 

beauteous  brow 
The  impress  bears  ot  sorrow  and  of  weariness 

e'en  now. 
The  livelong  day  in  deeds  of  love  and  power 

He  hath  spent, 
And  with  them  words  of  grace  and  life  hath 

ever  sweetlv  blent. 


i=;8 


"  Under  His   Shadow^ 


Now  He  hath  gained  the  mountain  top,  He 

standeth  all  alone, 
No  mortal  may  be  near  Him  in  that  horn'  of 

prayer  unknown. 
He  prayeth. — But  for  whom?    For  Himself, 

He  needeth  nought  ; 
Nor  strength,  nor  peace,  nor  pardon,  where  of 

sin  there  is  no  spot  ; 
But  'tis  for  us  in  powerful  prayer  He  spendeth 

all  the  night, 
That  His  own  loved  ones  may  be  kept  and 

strengthened  in  the  fight  ; 
That  they  may  all  be  sanctified,  and  perfect 

made  in  one ; 
That  they  His  glory  may  behold  w^here  they 

•     shall  need  no  sun  ; 
That   in   eternal   gladness  they  may  be    His 

glorious  bride  : 
It  is  for  this  that  He  hath  climbed  the  lonely 

mountain  side. 
It  is  for  this  that  He  denies  His  weary  head  the 

rest 
Which  e'en  the  foxes  in  their  holes,  and  birds 

have  in  their  nest. 
The  echo  of  that  prayer  hath  died   upon  the 

rocky  hill  ; 


Matthew  xxvi.  30. 


^59 


But  on  a  higher,  holier  mount  that  Voice  is 

pleading  still ; 
For  while  one  weary  child  of  His  yet  wanders 

here  below, 
While  yet  one  thirsting  soul  desires  His  peace 

and  love  to  know. 
And  while  one  fainting  spirit  seeks  His  holiness 

to  share. 
The  Saviour's  loving  heart  shall  pour  a  tide  of 

mighty  prayer  ; 
Yes  !  till  each  ransomed  one  hath  gained  His 

home  of  joy  and  peace, 
That  fount  of  blessings  all  untold  shall  never, 

never  cease. 

1854. 


MATTHEW  XXVI.   30. 

■  And  \vhen  they  had  sung  an  hymn  they  went  out. 

THE  sun  hath  gilded  Judah's  hills 
With  his  last  gorgeous  beam  ; 
Ghostlike  the  still  grey  mists  arise 

From  Jordan's  sacred  stream. 
The  stars,  bright  flowers  of  the  sky. 
Unfold  their  beauties  now. 


i6o 


"  Under  His  Shadow  J' 


And  gaze  on  Salem's  marble  fane, 

By  Olivet's  dark  brow. 
In  David's  city  sound  is  hushed 

And  tread  of  busy  feet, 
For  solemnly  his  sons  have  met 

The  paschal  lamb  to  eat. 
But  list  I  the  silence  of  the  hour 

Is  broken  ;  the  still  air 
A  melody  hath  caught  which  far 

Its  viewless  pinions  bear. 
Unwonted  s^veetness  hath  the  strain, 

And  as  its  numbers  flow, 
^lore  tender  and  more  touching  yet 

Its  harmony  doth  grow. 
Not  royal  David's  tuneful  harp 

Such  thrilling  power  had  known 
To  wake  deep  echoes  in  the  soul. 

As  its  scarce  earthly  tone. 
Within  an  *' upper  room"  are  met 

A  small,  yet  faithful  band. 
On  whom  a  deep  yet  chastened  gi'ief 

Hath  laid  its  softening  hand. 
Among  them  there  is  One  who  wears 

A  more  than  mortal  mien, 
'Tis  He  on  whom  in  all  distress 

The  weary  one  may  lean. 


IMysterioiis  sadnegfe,  on  that  brow 

So  pure  and  calm,  doth  lie  ; 
And  untold  stores  of  deepest  love 

Are  beaming  from  His  eye. 
What  wonder  if  the  strain  was  sweet 

Above  all  other  lays  ? 
Seraphic  well  might  seem  the  h3'mn 

Which  Jesu's  voice  did  raise. 
The  angels  hush  their  lyres  and  bend 

To  hear  the  thrilling  tone, 
And  heaven  is  silent, — with  that  song 

They  mingle  not  their  own. 
The  sorrowing  ones  around  have  heard 

Their  blessed  Master  tell, 
That  He  with  them  no  longer  now 

As  heretofore  may  dwell. 
And  they  have  sadly  shared  with  Him 

The  last,  last  evening  meal. 
And  heard  the  last  sweet  comfort  which 

Their  mourning  hearts  may  heal. 
They  do  not  know  the  fearful  storm 

Which  on  His  head  must  burst  ; 
They  know  not  all, — He  hath  not  told 

His  loving  ones  the  worst. 
How  could  He  ?     E'en  an  angel's  mind 

Could  never  comprehend 


]\i 


1 62  '^  Under  His   Shadow!^ 


The  weight  of  woe  'neath  which  for  us 

The  Saviour's  head  must  bend  ; 
Ere  long  the  voice,  which  waketh  now 

Such  touching  melody, 
Shall  cry,   *  *  My  God,  ]My  God,  oh  why 

Hast  Thou  forsaken  Me  ?  " 
The  hour  is  come;  but  ere  they  meet 

Its  terrors, — yet  once  more 
Their  voices  blend  with  His  who  sang 

x\s  none  e'er  sang  before. 
Why  do  they  linger  on  that  note? 

Why  thus  the  sound  prolong  ? 
Ah  !  'twas  the  last  !     'Tis  ended  now, 

That  strangely  solemn  song. 
And  forth  they  go  : — the  song  is  past ; 

But,  like  the  roseleaf,  still. 
Whose  fragrance  doth  not  die  away, 

Its  soft  low  echoes  thrill 
Through  many  a  soul,  and  there  awake 

New  strains  of  glowing  praise 
To  Him  who,  on  that  fateful  eve, 

That  last  sweet  hymn  did  raise. 

Feb7-uary  2']tli,   1855* 


10    JOHN  HENRY   C ON  HIS 

THIRD  BIRTHDAY, 

BLESSINGS  on  thee,  darling  boy, 
Peace  and  love  and  gentle  joy  ! 
■  May  the  coronal  they  twine 
Through  the  dream  of  life  be  thine  I. 

Little  hast  thou  known  of  life, 
Of  its  sorrow,   of  its  strife. 
Thine  not  yet  dark  Future's  blast, 
Thine  not  yet  a  shadowy  Past. 

While  we  reck  of  coming  years. 
Strangely  mingling  hopes  and  fears, 
What  are  sober  thoughts  to  thee, 
In  the  tide  of  birthday  glee  ! 

Thou  art  beautiful  and  bright. 
Daily  weakening  new  delight. 
Would  that  we  the  prize  could  hold, 
Always  keep  thee  three  years  old  ! 

No,  not  always,  thou  may'st  be 
Something  brighter  yet  to  see, 
Noble  hearted,  lofty  souled. 
When  more  years  have  o'er  thee  rolled. 


164 


"  Uiidcr   His   Shadow^ 


Love  is  watching  round  thee  now, 
Tracing  sunbeams  on  thy  brow ; 
Never  be  her  mission  done 
To  thy  father's  only  son. 

Yet  a  higher,  deeper  love 
AVatcheth  o'er  thee  from  above  ; 
Then,  thy  fount  of  niotive  be 
LoVe  to  Him  who  loveth  thee. 

Darling,  may  thy  years  below 
Like  a  strain  of  music  flow. 
Ever  sweeter,  purer,  higher. 
Till  it  swell  the  angel  choir. 

Be  thy  life  a  star  of  light. 
Glistening  through  earth's  stormy  night, 
Shining  then  with  glorious  ray 
Through  the  One  Eternal  Day. 

A\->7'cinher  27///,   185S. 


''COMING    OF  age:' 

HAT  do  we  seek  for  him  to-day,  Avho, 
through  such  golden  gates 
Of  mirth  and  gladness,  enters  now  where  life 
before  him  waits  ? 


w 


'Mid  light  and  flowers  the  feast  is  spread,  and 

young  and  old  rejoice  : 
Let  beam  and  wall  speak  out   for   all,   with 

earnest,  loving  voice. 

The  threefold  blessing  Israel  heard  three  thou- 
sand years  ago, 

Oh  !  grant  it  may  on  him  to-day  in  power 
and  fulness  flow ; 

For,  faithful  and  unchangeable,  each  word  of 
God  is  sure, 

Though  heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away, 
His  promises  endure. 

The  Angel  of  the  Covenant,  redeeming  from 

all  ill 
Both  son  and  father,  bless  the  lad,  and  every 

prayer  fulfil  ; 
Nor  only  bless,  but  make  him,  too,  a  blessing, 

Lord,  from  Thee  : 
With  length  of  days,  O  satisfy  ;   let  him  Thy 

glory  see. 

Through  all  the  journey  of  his  life.  Thy  pre- 
sence with  him  go  ; 

Rest  in  Thee  here,  and  zuUh  Thee  there,  do 
Thou,  O  Lord,  bestow. 


1 66         "  Under  His  Shadow T 

Oh,  keep  him  faithful  unto  death,  then  grant 
I  to  him,  we  pray, 

The  crown  of  glory  and  of  life,  that  fadeth  not 
j  away. 

I 

So  shall  the  father's  soul  be  c:lad  for  him  he 
i  holds  so  dear, 

A  son  whose  heart  is  truly  wise  in  God's  most 
[  holy  fear  ; 

And  hallowed  be  our  festal  joy  with  gratitude 

and  praise .; 
Forget  not  all  His  benefits,  whose  kindness 
crowns  our  days. 

Then   gloiy  in  the  highest  be   to    Him,  our 

Strength  and  Song  ; 
May  every  heart  uplift  its  part,  in  blessings 

deep  and  long. 
Through  Him  who  died  that  we   might  live, 

our  thanks  to  God  ascend, 
The  King  of  kings,  and  Lord   of  lords,   our 

Saviour  and  our  Friend. 

September  26///,   1S65. 


EVELYN. 

DYING  ?     Evelyn,  darling  I 
Dying?  can  it  be  ? 
Spring  so  joyous  all  around, 
Stick  a  spring,  so  early  crowned, 
Heralding  all  summer  glee, 
Life  for  everything  but  thee  ! 

Evelyn  darling,  dying  ?  ' 
Yet  it  is  no  phantom  sound, 
Though  the  word  is  haunting  me  ; 

Thou  art  lying 
Now,  where  life  and  death  do  meet, 
Thorny  path  and  golden  street. 


I  thought  I  had  no  heart  to  write, 
But  the  pencil  near  me  lay, 
Which  has  traced  me  many  a  day, 

Dipped  in  colours  dark  or  bright, 

Lays  I  guessed  would  meet  the  sight 
Of  at  least  some  loving  eye, 

And  perchance  be  heard  again,  , 


1 68 


"  Under  His  Shadow. ^^ 


Winning  echoes  far  and  nigh, 
Touching  chords  of  sympathy 
In  the  weary  souls  of  men. 
And  I  took  it  in  my  hand, 
For  it  seemed  to  be  relief, 
After  this  long  week  of  grief, 
Just  to  let  the  thought  expand. 
And  the  word  that  haunted  me 
Just  to  write ;   though  none  shall  see 
What  is  written,  only  He 
Who  is  gently  leading  thee, 

Evelyn  darling,  without  fears, 
Through  the  vale  of  death, — and  me 
Through  the  vale  of  tears. 


All  so  calm ; — a  hazy  veil 

Falling  on  the  golden  west  ; 
Silence,  like  a  minstrel  pale, 

Preluding  the  Sabbath  rest. 
There  is  night  before  the  dawn 
Rise  for  tis  of  Sabbath  morn  : 
Is  there  any  night  for  thee 
Ere  thine  eyes  the  glory  see? 
Are  the  angels,  bright  and  strong. 

Bearing  thy  free  soul  away, 
Teaching  thee  the  glad  new  song, 

On  the  grand  star-paven  way? 


Art  thou  "even  now  at  rest, 

Lying  on  the  Saviour's  br«ast  ? 

Evelyn  darling,  is  it  so  ? 

Would,  oh  would  that  I  could  know  ! 

I  can  only  wait  in  sorrow 

For  the  tidings  of  the  morrow. 


Evelyn  darling,  laid  so  low  I 
Only  three  short  months  ago 
Thou  wert  full  of  life  and  glee, 
Round  the  laden  Christmas  tree  ; 
Foremost  in  the  carol- singing, 
Fun  and  frolic  gaily  flinging. 
Tallest,  fairest  of  the  troop, 

Opening  rose  on  slender  stem, 
Reigning  'mid  the  bright-eyed  group, 

Queen  without  a  diadem  ; 
In  thy  robe  of  snowy  sheen. 
Decked  with  silken  emerald  green. 
Few  there  are  who  ever  knew 

Merrier  holidays  than  thine. 
Whether  summer  breezes  blew, 

Or  the  winter  stars  did  shine. 
Evelyn  darling,  can  it  be, 

Was  that  Christmas  tree  the  last  ? 


170         "  bjider  His  Shadou^P 

How  believe  it,  that  for  thee 
Christmas  holidays  are  past ! 

And  that  summer  leaves  will  wave. 
And  the  Easter  moon  will  shine, 

Over  the  first  household  grave, 
First, — and  thine! 


I  am  not  praying, — prayer  is  hushed,   • 

God's  hand  is  laid  upon  my  heart ; 
The  earthly  hope  for  ever  crushed, 

The  heavenly  answered^  not  in  part, 
But  fully,  perfectly  !     I  prayed 

For  life,  and  He  hath  given  the  life 
Which     triumphs    o'er    the   grave's     cold 
shade  ; 

For  peace,  and  He  hath  ended  strife 
And  spoken  love.     There  have  been  tears 
And  earnest  pleadings  through  long  years; 
But  He  is  faithful  to  His  word, 
I  know  at  last  that  He  has  heard. 
But  not,  oh  not  as  I  had  thought 

In  ignorant  and  selfish  love, 
The  Master  calls, — she  tarries  not. 

For  He  hath  need  of  her  above. 
The  lambs  He  gathers  with  His  arm, 
No  grief,  no  sin,  no  death  can  harm. 


So  safely  folded  on  His  breast, 

For  ever  and  for  ever  .blest. 

Could  God  Himself  give  more  ?     His  will 

Is  best,  though  we  are  weeping  still. 


Yet  the  old  cry  comes  again, 

Evelyn,  darling,  dying  ! 
Is  it  true,  or  is  it  dreaming? 
Is  it  only  ghastly  seeming 
Of  a  sorrow  far  aw^ay. 
Not  to  fall  for  many  a  day  ? 

If  I  saw  thee  lying, 
I  maght  realize  it  so  ! 
Last  I  saw  thee  in  the  glow 
Of  thy  brightest  health  and  bloom  ; 
Was  it  only  for  the  tomb  ? 
Then  the  sorrow  grows  with  this — 

Not  a  word  of  fond  good-bye, 
Not  one  tender  parting  kiss. 

Not  one  glance  of  loving  eye ! 
Well,   I  know  it  could  not  be ! 
God's  appointed  way  for  me 
Was  assuredly — *'Be  still. 
Wait  in  silence  for  His  will." 
Father,  I  have  said  Amen, 
Said  it  often,  now  again  ! 


172 


"  Under  His   Shadow^ 


Father,  strengthen  it  and  seal  I 

Let  my  weary  spirit  feel 

I  am  very  near  to  Thee, 

For  Thy  hand  is  laid  on  me — 

Though  the  shadows  gather  deep. 

Thou  canst  calm  and  aid  and  keep. 

Father,  where  the  shadows  fall 
Deeper  yet,  deepest  of  all. 
Send  Thy  peace,  and  show  Thy  power 
In  affliction's  direst  hour  ; 
To  each  mourning  heart  draw  near, 
Soothe  and  bless,  sustain  and  cheer. 
Thou  wilt  hear,  I  know  not  how  ! 
Thou  canst  help,   "and  only  Thou." 
This  my  prayer  I  leave  with  Thee. 
Father  !   hear  and  answer  me 
For  the  sake  of  Him  who  knows 
All  our  love  and  all  our  woes. 

•  April  6th,  1868. 


FAITHFUL     FROMISFS, 
Isaiah  xli.  10. 

XEW    YEARS    HYMN. 

STANDING  at  the  portal 
Of  the  opening  year. 


Words  of  comfort  meet  us, 
Hushing  every  fear;  ,  • 

Spoken  through  the  silence 
By  our  Father's  voice, 

Tender,  strong,  and  faithful, 
Making  us  rejoice. 

Onward  then,  and  fear  not, 
Children  of  the  day  ! 

For  His  word  shall  never, 
Never  pass  away ! 

I,  the  Lord,  am  with  thee, 

Be  thou  not  afraid  ! 
I  will  help  and  strengthen. 

Be  thou  not  dismayed  I 
Yea,  I  will  uphold  thee 

With  My  own  right  hand  ; 
Thou  art  called  and  chosen 

In  My  sight  to  stand. 

Onward  then,  and  fear  not, 
Children  of  the  day  ! 

For  His  word  shall  never, 
Never  pass  away ! 

For  the  year  before  us. 
Oh  what  rich  supplies  ! 


174 


"  Under  His  SJuidowP 


For  the  poor  and  needy 
Living  streams  shall  rise ; 

For  the  sad  and  sinful 
Shall  His  grace  abound ; 

For  the  faint  and  feeble 
Perfect  strength  be  found. 

Onward  then,   and  fear  not, 
Children  of  the  day  I 

For  His  word  shall  never, 
Never  pass  away  ! 

He  will  never  fail  us, 

He  will  not  forsake ; 
His  eternal  covenant 

He  will  never  break  ! 
Resting  on  His  promise, 

\Yhat  have  we  to  fear  ? 
God  is  all-sufficient 

For  the  coming  year. 

Onward  then,  and  fear  not, 
Children  of  the  day  ! 

For  His  word  shall  never, 
Never  pass  away ! 


THE  MAIDENS  OF  ENGLAND, 

ON     THE     PRESENTATION     OF     A     BIBLE     TO 
THEIR   PRINCESS   ROYAL. 

ERE  the  pathless  ocean  waters 
Bear  thee  far  from  England's  shore, 
Come  we,  England's  youthful  daughters, 
Warmly  greeting  thee  once  more. 

Rarest  jewels,  lustre  flinging, 

Grace  thy  royal  diadem  ; 
Yet  we  come,  an  offering  bringing 

Richer  than  its  richest  gem. 

While  with  prayerful  love  unspoken. 
Princess  !  glows  each  maiden  heart, 

Deign  to  take  this  sacred  token. 
Brightest  lamp  and  surest  chart. 

!May  its  holy  precepts  guide  thee 
In  each  hour  of  joy  or  sadness  ; 

Yet  may  he  who  stands  beside  thee 
Share  with  thee  unfading  gladness. 

Ever  on  thy  pathway  shining, 
Living  stars  'mid  earthly  night, 

May  its  peace  and  grace  entwining 
Gird  thee  with  a  robe  of  light. 


176 


"  Under  His   Shadow T 


Rose  of  England  !  fragrance  breathing, 
To  thy  far  new  home  depart, 

Round  thy  early  bloom  enwreathing 
All  the  love  of  England's  heart. 

Be  thy  gladness  ever  vernal 
'Mid  the  wintry  scenes  below, 

Till  a  crown  of  life  eternal 
Gleams  upon  thy  royal  brow  ! 

Father,  be  Thou  ever  near  her  ! 

Saviour,  fill  her  with  Thy  love  ! 
Let  Thy  constant  presence  cheer  her, 

Joy-imparting  Holy  Dove  ! 

JarAiary,  1 858. 


SCOTLAND'S    WELCOME    TO    THE 
PRINCESS  LOUISE, 

SWEET  Rose  ot  the  South  !   contented  to 
rest 
In  the  fair  island  home  which  thy  presence 

has  blessed  : 
From  the  Highlands  resounding,  glad  welcome 

shall  float. 
And  the  Lowlands  re-echo  the  jubilant  note. 


Meny  England  has  loved  thee  and  cherished 

thee  long, 
Her  blessings  go  with  thee  in  prayer  and  in 

song; 
Bonnie  vS Gotland  has  won  thee,  and  lays  at  thy 

feet 
Love  tender  and  fervent,  love  loyal  and  sweet. 

Chorus,  —  Our  own  bonnie    Scotland    with 

welcome  shall  ring, 
While  greeting  and  homage  we  loyally  bring  ; 
The  crown  of  our  love  shall  thy  diadem  be, 
And  the  throne  of  our  hearts  is  waiting  for 

thee. 

Then  come,  like  the  sunrise  that  gilds  with  a 
smile 

The  dark  mountains  and  valleys  of  lonely 
Argyle ;  » 

Golden  splendour  shall  fall  on  the  pale  north- 
ern snow, 

And  with  rose  light  of  love  the  purple  shall 
glow. 

Though  the  voice  that  should  bless,  and  the 

hand  that  should  seal, 
Is  '*  away,"  and  at  rest  in  **the  land  o'  the 

leal," 


N 


178  ''^  Under  His   Shadow P 


May   the   God  of  thy  father  look  graciously 

down, 
With  blessings   on  blessings  thy  gladness  to 

crown. 

CJio7'2is.  —  Our  own    bonnie    Scotland   with 

welcome  shall  ring, 

While  greeting  and  homage  we  loyally  bring  ; 

The  crown  of  our  love  shall  thy  diadem  be, 

And  the  throne  of  our  hearts  is  waiting  for 

thee. 

March,  187 1. 


► 


LATEST  P0E;MS 


AND 


UNFINISHED  FRAGMENTS. 


Il 


CHOSEN  LESSONS, 

"  Him  shall  He  teach  in  the   way   tliat    He   shall 
choose." — Ps.  XXV.  12. 

M    TN  the  wa}^  that  He  shall  choose 
/  A   He  will  teach  us  ; 
I  Not  a  lesson  we  shall  lose, 
All  shall  reach  us. 

Strange  and  difficult  indeed 

We  may  find  it, 
But  the  blessing  that  we  need 
j      Is  behind  it. 

All  the  lessons  He  shall  send 
.       Are  the  sweetest, 
(  And  His  training,  in  the  end, 
I       Is  completest. 


HITHERTO  AND  HENCEFORTH, 

**  The  Lord  hath  blessed  me  hitherto." — Josh.  xvii.  14. 

HITHERTO  the  Lord  hath  blessed  us, 
Guiding  all  the  way  ; 
Henceforth  let  us  trust  Him  fully^ 
Trust  Him  all  the  day. 


l82 


"  Uiidc}-  His  ShadowP 


Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  loved  us, 

Caring  for  His  o^vn ; 
Henceforth  let  us  love  Him  better, 

Live  for  Him  alone. 

Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  blessed  us. 

Crowning  all  our  days  ; 
Henceforth  let  us  live  to  bless  Him. 

Live  to  show  His  praise. 


CHRISTMAS  GIFTS, 

*'  Thou  hast  received  gifts  for  men." — Ps.  Ixviii.  18. 

CHRISTMAS  gifts  for  thee, 
Fair  and  free  1 
Precious  things  from  the  heavenly  store, 
Filling  thy  casket  more  and  more  ; 
Golden  love  in  divinest  chain, 
That  never  can  be  untwined  again  ; 
Silvery  carols  of  joy  that  swell 
Sweetest  of  all  in  the  heart's  lone  cell  ; 
Pearls  of  peace  that  were  sought  for  thee 
In  the  terrible  depths  of  a  fiery  sea  ; 
Diamond  promises  sparkling  bright, 
Flashing  in  farthest  reaching  light. 


He  hath  Done  it. 


183 


Christmas  gifts  for  thee, 
Grand  and  free  ! 
Christmas  gifts  from  the  King  of  love, 
Brought  from  His  royal  home  above  ; 
Brought  to  thee  in  the  far-off  land, 
Brought  to  thee  by  His  own  dear  hand. 
Promises  held  by  Christ  for  thee. 
Peace  as  a  river  flowing  free, 
Joy  that  in  His  own  joy  must  live, 
And  love  that  Infinite  Love  can  give. 
Surely  thy  heart  of  hearts  uplifts 
Carols  of  praise  for  such  Christmas  gifts  I 

Written  for  Christmas  Day  1879,  for  "  Home 
Words:' 


HE  HATH  DONE  IT! 

"  I  have  blotted  out,  as  a  thick  cloud,  thy  transgres- 
sions, and,  as  a  cloud,  thy  sins  :  return  unto  Me  ;  for  I 
have  redeemed  thee.  Sing,  O  heavens  ;  for  the  Lord 
hath  done  it." — Isa,  xliv.  22,  23. 

**  I  know  that,  whatsoever  God  doeth,  it  shall  be  for 
ever  :  nothing  can  be  put  to  it,  nor  anything  taken  from 
it." — Eccles.  iii.  14. 

SING,  O  heavens  !  the  Lord  hath  done  it ! 
Sound  it  forth  o'er  land  and  sea  ! 
Jesus  says,   **  I  have  redeemed  thee, 
Now  return,  return  to  Me    " 


Oh  return,  for  His  own  life  blood 
Paid  the  ransom,  made  us  free 
Evermore  and  evermore. 

For  I  know  that  what  He  doeth 
Stands  for  ever,  fixed  and  true  ; 

Nothing  can  be  added  to  it, 
Nothing  left  for  us  to  do ; 

Nothing  can  be  taken  from  it, 
Done  for  me  and  done  for  you 
Evermore  and  evermore. 

Listen  now  !  the  Lord  hath  done  it  ! 

For  He  loved  us  unto  death ; 
It  is  finished  !    He  has  saved  us ! 

Only  trust  to  what  He  saith. 
He  hath  done  it  !     Come  and  bless  Him, 

Spend  in  praise  your  ransomed  breath 
Evermore  and  evermore. 

Oh  believe  the  Lord  hath  done  it ! 

Wherefore  linger?   wherefore  doubt? 
All  the  cloud  of  black  transgression 

He  Flimself  hath  blotted  out. 
He  hath  done  it !     Come  and  bless  Him, 
Swell  the  grand  thanksgiving  shout 
Evermore  and  evermore. 

December  3^/,   1878. 


What  Thou   Wilt.  185 


WHAT  THOU  WILT 

DO  what  Thou  wilt !  yes,  only  do 
What  seemeth  good  to  Thee  : 
Thou  art  so  loving,  wise  and  ti"ue, 
It  must  be  best  for  me. 

Send  what  Thou  wilt ;  or  beating  shower, 

Soft  dew,  or  brilliant  sun  ; 
Alike  in  still  or  stormy  hour, 

My  Lord,  Thy  will  be  done. 

Teach  what  Thou  wilt ;  and  make  me  learn 

Each  lesson  full  and  sweet, 
And  deeper  things  of  God  discern 

While  sitting  at  Thy  feet. 

Say  what  Thou  wilt ;  and  let  each  word 

My  quick  obedience  win  ; 
Let  loyalty  and  love  be  stirred 

To  deeper  glow  within. 

Give  what  Thou  wilt;  for  then  I  know 

I  shall  be  rich  indeed  : 
My  King  rejoices  to  bestow 

Supply  for  every  need. 


1 86  ''''Under  His  Shadow  J' 

Take  what  Thou  wilt,  beloved  Lord, 

For  I  have  all  in  Thee  ! 
My  own  exceeding  great  reward, 

Thou,  Thou  Thyself  shalt  be  ! 

December,  1878. 


THE  KEY  FOUND, 

THERE  is  a  strange  wild  wail  around,  a 
wail  of  wild  unrest, 
A  moaning  in  the  music,  with  echoes  uncon- 

•    fessed, 
And  a  mocking  twitter  here  and  there,  with 

small  notes  shrill  and  thin. 
And  deep,   low  shuddering    groans   that  rise 
from  caves  of  gloom  within. 

And  still  the  weird  wail  crosses  the  harmonies 

of  God, 
And  still  the  wallers  wander  through  His  fair 

lands,  rich  and  broad  ; 
Grave  thought-explorers  swell  the  cry  of  doubt 

and  nameless  pain. 
And  careless  feet   among  the  flowers  trip  to 

the  dismal  strain. 


The  Key  Found,  187 


\ 


They  may  wander  as  they  will  in  the  hopeless 
search  for  truth, 

They  may  squander  in  the  quest  all  the  fresh- 
ness of  their  youth, 

They  may  wrestle  with  the  nightmares  of  sin's 
unresting  sleep. 

They  may  cast  a  futile  plummet  in  the  heart's 
unfathomed  deep. 

But  they  wait  and  wail  and  wander  in  vain  and 

still  in  vain, 
Though  they    glory  in  the  dimness  and  are 

proud  of  very  pain  ; 
For  a  life  of  Titan  struggle  is  but  one  sublime 

mistake. 
While  the  spell-dream  is  upon  them,  and  they 

cannot,  will  not  wake. 


Awake,  O  thou  that  sleepest !  The  Deliverer 

is  near  ! 
Arise,  go  forth  to  meet  Him  !  Bow  down,  for 

He  is  here  ! 
Ye  shall  count  your  true  existence  from  this 

first,  blessed  tryst, 
For  He  waiteth  to  reveal  Himself,  the  Very 

God  in  Christ. 


i88 


a  TT 


Under  His   Shadowr 


For  tke  soul  is  never  satisfied,  the  life  is  in- 
complete, 

And  the  symphonies  of  sorrow  find  no  cadence 
calm  and  sweet. 

And  the  earthlights  never  lead  us  beyond  the 
shadows  grim, 

And  the  lone  heart  never  resteth  till  it  findeth 
rest  in  Him. 

Do  ye  doubt  our  feeble  witness  ?     Though  ye 

scorn  us,  come  and  see  ! 
Come  and  hear  Him  for  yourselves,  and  ye 

shall  know  that  it  is  He  ! 
Ye  shall  find  in  Him  the  Centre,   the  Very 

Truth  and  Life, 
Resplendent  resolution  of   the  endless  doubt 

and  strife. 


Ye  shall  find  a  perfect  fitness  with  your  highest, 

deepest  thought, 
In  Him,  the  fair  Ideal,  that  so  long  ye  vaialy 

sought, 
In   Him  the   grand   Reality  ye   never   found 

before, 
In  Him  the  Lord  that  ye  must  love,  the  God 

ye  must  adore. 


Ye  shall  find  in  Him  the  filling  of  the  "aching 

void"  within  ; 
In  Him  the  instant  antidote  for  anguish  and 

for  sin  ; 
In  Him  the  conscious  meeting  of  the  soul's 

unuttered  need  ; 
In  Him  the  All  that  ve  have  souorht,  the  cfoal 

of  life  indeed. 


As  the  light  is  to  the  eye,  with  its  sensitive 
array 

Of  delicate  adjustments  with  their  finely  bal- 
anced play, 

With  its  instinct  of  perception,  and  its  craving 
for  the  light, 

So  is  Jesus  to  the  spirit,  when  He  gives  the 
inward  sight. 

As  the  full  and  clear  translation  of  some 
characters  of  fate. 

With  their  sibylline  enfoldings,  of  dim  mys- 
terious weight. 

And  a  haunting  ten'or  lest  the  real  be  darker 
than  the  guessed  ! 

So  is  Jesus  to  the  questions  and  enigmas  of  the 
breast. 


IQO 


"  Under  His   Shadow.''^ 


As  the  key  is  to  the  lock,  when  it  enters  quick 

and  true, 
Fitting  all  the  complex  wards  that  are  hidden 

from  the  view, 
INIoving  all  the  secret  springs  that  no  other  finds 

or  moves, 
So  is  Jesus  to  the  soul,  when  His  saving  power 

He  proves. 

As  the  music  to  the  ear,  when  the  mightiest 

anthems  roll, 
With  its  corridors  conveying  every  echo  to  the 

soul, 
W.ith  its  exquisite  discernment  of  vibration  and 

of  tone, 
So  is  Jesus  to  the  heart  that  is  made  for  Him 

alone. 


No  need  to  prove  the  sunshine  when  the  eye 
receives  the  light ! 

When  the  cipher  is  deciphered  we  know  the 
clue  is  right ; 

The  key  is  known  by  fitting  the  strange  in- 
tricate wards  ; 

And  the  ears  must  own  the  music  when  they 
recognise  the  chords. 


The  Key  Found.  191 

No  need  to  prove  a  Saviour,  when  once  the 

heart  believes 
And  the  light  of  God's  own  glory  in  Jesus 

Christ  receives  ! 
No   need  for    weary   puzzle,  with   heart -lore 

strange  and  dim. 
When  we  find  our  dark  enigmas  are  simply 

solved  in  Him ! 


We  cannot  doubt  our  finding  the  very  Key 

indeed. 
When  Jesus  fills  up  every  void,  responds  to 

every  need. 
When  all  the  secrets  of  our  hearts  before  Him 

are  revealed, 
And  all  the  mystery  of  life,  alone  with  Him, 

unsealed. 

We  cannot  doubt,  when  once  the  ear  of  listen- 
ing faith  has  heard. 

With  all-responsive  thrill  of  love,  the  music  of 
His  word  ! 

He  gives  the  witness  that  excels  all  argument 
or  sign, — 

When  we  have  heard  it  for  ourselves  we  hiow 
it  is  Divine  ! 


192 


"  Uiidej'  His  Shadoti'.' 


-,  -V 


And  then,  oh  then  the  wail  is  stilled,  the  wan- 
dering is  o'er, 

The  rest  is  gained,  the  certainty  that  never 
wavers  more  ; 

And  then  the   full,  un quivering  praise  arises 

glad  and  strong, 
And  life  becomes  the  prelude  of  the  everlasting 
song  ! 

December-  idftJi,  1878.     {Her  last  birthday.) 


A 


THE  SONG  OF  A  SUMMER  STREAM. 

FEW  months  ago 
I  was  singing  through  the  snow, 
Though  the  dead  brown  boughs  gave  no  hope 
of  summer  shoots. 
And  my  persevering  fall 
Seemed  to  be  no  use  at  all. 
For  the  hard,  hard  frost  would  not  let  me  reach 
the  roots. 

Then  the  mists  hung  chill 
All  along  the  wooded  hill, 
And  the  cold  sad  fog  through  my  lonely  dingles 
crept  ; 


The  So7ig  of  a  Siumner  Stream.  193 

I  was  glad  I  had  no  power 
To  awake  one  tender  flower 
To  a  sure  swift  doom  !  I  would  rather  that  it 
slept. 

Still  I  sang  all  alone 
In  the  sweet  old  summer  tone, 
For  the  strong  white  ice  could  not  hush  me 
for  a  day  ; 
Though  no  other  voice  was  heard 
But  the  bitter  breeze  that  whirred 
Past  the  gaunt,  grey  trunks  on  its  wild  and 
angry  way. 

So  the  dim  days  sped, 
While  everything  seemed  dead. 
And  my  own  poor  flow  seemed  the  only  living 
sign  ; 
And  the  keen  stars  shone 
When  the  freezing  night  came  on, 
From  the    far,   far  heights,   all  so    cold    and 
crystalline. 

A  few  months  ago 
I  was  singing  through  the  snow  ! 
But  now  the  blessed  sunshine  is  filling  all  the 
land. 


o 


194 


"  Under  His   Shadow.^^ 


And  the  memories  are  lost 
Of  the  winter  fog  and  frost, 
In  the  presence  of  the  summer  with  her  full  and 
glowing  hand. 

Now  the  woodlark  comes  to  drink 
At  my  cool  and  pearly  brink, 
And  the  ladyfern  is  bending  to  kiss  my  rainbow 
foam  ; 
And  the  wild  rose  buds  entwine 
With  the  dark-leaved  bramble-vine. 
And  the  centuried  oak   is  green  around  the 
bright-eyed  squirrel's  home. 

0  the  full  and  glad  content 
That  my  little  song  is  blent 

With  the  all-melodious  mingling  of  the  cho- 
risters around  ! 

1  no  longer  sing  alone 
Through  a  chill  surrounding  moan, 

For  the  very  air  is  trembling  with  its  wealth  of 
summer  sound. 


Though  the  hope  seemed  long  deferred, 
Ere  the  south  wind's  whisper  heard 
Gave  a  promise  of  the  passing   of  the  weary 
winter  days. 


Yet  the  blessing  was  secure, 
For  the  summer  time  was  sure 
When  the  lonely  songs  are  gathered  in   the 
mighty  choir  of  praise. 

Febj'uary  iZthy  1879. 


HOPE. 

WHAT  though  the  blossom  fall  and  die  ? 
The  flower  is  not  the  root ; 
The  sun  of  love  may  ripen  yet 
The  Master's  pleasant  fruit. 

What  though  by  many  a  sinful  fall 

Thy  garments  are  defiled  ? 
A  Saviour's  blood  can  cleanse  them  all ; 

Fear  not  !  thou  art  His  child. 

Arise  !  and,  leaning  on  His  strength, 

Thy  weakness  shall  be  strong  ; 
And  He  will  teach  thy  heart  at  length 

A  new  perpetual  song. 

Arise  !  to  follow  in  His  track 

Each  holy  footprint  clear, 
And  on  an  upward  course  look  back 

With  every  brightening  year. 


196         "  Under  His  Shadow J^ 

Arise  !  and  on  thy  future  way 
His  blessing  with  thee  be  ! 

His  presence  be  thy  staff  and  stay, 
Till  thou  His  glory  see. 


FEAR  NOT. 
Isaiah  xliii.  1-7. 

LISTEN  !    for  the  Lord  hath  spoken  ! 
*'Fear  thou  not,"  saith  He  ! 
**  When  thou  passest  through  the  waters, 
I  will  be  with  thee. 

**  Fear  not  !    or  I  have  redeemed  thee  ; 

All  My  sheep  I  know  : 
Wlien  thou  passest  through  the  rivers, 

They  shall  not  o'erflow. 

'*Fear  not!  by  thy  name  I  called  thee, — 
Mine  thy  heart  hath  learned  ; 

When  thou  walkest  through  the  fire, 
Thou  shalt  not  be  burned. 

'  *  Thou  art  Mine  !  oh,  therefore,  fear  not  : 

Mine  for  ever  now ; 
And  the  flame  shall  never  kindle 

On  thy  sealed  brow. 


"  The  SeripHire  camiot  be  brokenP  197 

*'  Thou  art  precious,  therefore  fear  not, 

Precious  unto  Me  ! 
I  have  made  thee  for  My  glory, 

I  have  loved  thee." 


''  the  scripture  cannot  be 
broken:' 

John  x.   35. 

UPON  the  Word  I  rest, 
Each  pilgrim  day  ; 
This  golden  staff  is  best 

For  all  the  way. 
What  Jesus  Christ  hath  spoken, 
QdSinot  be  broken  ! 

Upon  the  Word  I  rest, 

So  strong,  so  sure, 
So  full  of  comfort  blest, 

So  sweet,  so  pure  ! 
The  charter  of  salvation, 

Faith's  broad  foundation. 

Upon  the  Word  I  stand  ! 
That  cannot  die  ! 


198        ''^  Under  His  Shadow,^ 

Christ  seals  it  in  my  hand, 

He  cannot  lie  ! 
The  Word  that  faileth  never  ! 

Abiding  ever! 

Chorus. — The  Master  hath  said  it  !     Rejoicing 
in  this, 

We  ask  not  for  sign  or  for  token  ; 
His  word  is  enough  for  our  confident  bliss, 

"The  Scripture  cannot  h^  broken  !  " 

April,  1879. 


NO  THING  TO  PA  Y  ! 

NOTHING  to  pay  !    Ah,  nothing  to  pay  ! 
Never  a  word  of  excuse  to  say  ! 
Year  after  year  thou  hast  filled  the  score, 
Owing  thy  Lord  still  more  and  more. 

Hear  the  voice  of  Jesus  say, 
*'  Verily  thou  hast  nothing  to  pay  ! 
Ruined,  lost,  art  thou,  and  yet 
I  forgave  thee  all  that  debt." 

Nothing  to  pay  !  the  debt  is  so  great  ; 
What  will  you  do  with  the  awful  weight  ? 
How  shall  the  way  of  escape  be  made  ? 
Nothing  to  pay  !  yet  it  must  be  paid  ! 


-       "  He  Suffer edr  199 

Hear  the  voice  of  Jesus  say, 
**  Verily  thou  hast  nothing  to  pay  ! 
All  has  been  put  to  My  account, 
I  have  paid  the  full  amount." 

Nothing  to  pay  ;  yes,  nothing  to  pay  ! 
Jesus  has  cleared  all  the  debt  away, 
Blotted  it  out  with  His  bleeding  hand  ! 
Free  and  forgiven  and  loved  you  stand. 

Hear  the  voice  of  Jesus  say, 
**  Verily  thou  hast  nothing  to  pay  ! 
Paid  is  the  debt,  and  the  debtor  free  ! 
Now  I  ask  thee,  lovest  thou  Me?" 

April,  1879. 


''HE  suffered:' 

HE  suffered  !  "     Was  it.   Lord,   indeed 
for  me. 
The  Just  One  for  the  unjust ;  Thou  didst  bear 
The  weight  of  sorrow  that  I  hardly  dare 
To  look  upon,  in  dark  Gethsemane  ? 
**  He  suffered  !  "     Thou,  my  near  and  gracious 
Friend, 
And  yet  my  Lord,   my  God  !     Thou  didst 
not  shrink 


200         "  Unde7'  His   ShadowJ^ 

For  me  that  full  and  fearful  cup  to  drink 
Because  Thou  lovedst  even  to  the  end  ! 
*'He  suffered  !"     Saviour,  was  Thy  love  so 
vast 
That  mysteries  of  unknown  agony, 
Even  unto  death,  its  only  gauge  could  be, 
Unmeasured  as  the  fiery  depths  it  passed  ? 
Lord,  by  the  sorrows  of  Gethsemane 
Seal  Thou  my  quivering  love   for  ever  unto 
Thee. 

1879. 


BEHOLD   YOUR  KING. 

"  Behold,  and  see  if  there  be  any  sorrow  like  unto  JVIy 
sorrow." — Lam.  i.  12. 

V'lT)  EHOLDyour  King  !    Though  the  moon- 
JL-)     light  steals 

Through  the  silvery  sprays  or  the  olive  tree, 
No  star-gemmed  sceptre  or  crown  it  reveals. 
In  the  solemn  shade  of  Gethsemane. 
Only  a  form  of  prostrate  grief, 
Fallen,  crushed,  like  a  broken  leaf ! 
Oh,  think  of  His  sorrow  !  that  we  may  know 
The  depth  of  love  in  the  depth  of  woe  ! 


-     A  71  Easter  Prayer.  201 

Behold  your  King  !     Is  it  nothing  to  you, 

That  the  crimson  tokens  of  agony 
From  the  kingly  brow  must  fall  like  dew, 
Through  the   shuddering   shades   of  Geth- 
semane  ? 
Jesus  himself,  the  Prince  of  Life, 
Bows  in  mysterious  mortal  strife  ; 
Oh,  think  of  His  sorrow  !  that  we  may  know 
The  unknown  love  in  the  unknown  woe  ! 

Behold  your  King,  with  His  sorrow  crowned, 

Alone,  alone  in  the  valley  is  He  ! 
The  shadows  of  death  are  gathering  round, 
And  the  Cross  must  follow  Gethsemane. 
Darker  and  darker  the  gloom  must  fall, 
Filled  is  the  Cup,  He  must  drink  it  all  ! 
Oh,  think  of  His  sorrow  !  that  we  may  know 
His  wondrous  love  in  His  wondrous  woe  ! 

Good  Friday^  iS79' 


AN  EASTER  PR  A  YER, 

'  /^~\  H  let  me  know 
V^     The  power  of  Thy  resurrection  ; 

Oh  let  me  show 
Thy  risen  life  in  calm  and  clear  reflection  ; 


202         "  Under  His  Shadow^ 

Oh  let  me  soar 
Where   Thou,    my   Saviour  Christ,  art   gone 
before  ; 

In  mind  and  heart 
Let  me  dwell  always,  only,  where  Thou  art. 

Oh  let  me  give 
Out  of  the  gifts  Thou  freely  givest  ; 

Oh  let  me  live 
With  life  abundantly  because  Thou  livest ; 

Oh  make  me  shine 
In  darkest  places,  for  Thy  light  is  mine  ; 

Oh  let  me  be 
A  faithful  witness  for  Thy  truth  and  Thee. 

Oh  let  me  show 
The  strong  reality  of  gospel  story ; 

Oh  let  me  go 
From  strength  to  strength,    from  glory  unto 
glory  ; 

Oh  let  me  sing 
For  very  joy,  because  Thou  art  my  King  ; 

Oh  let  me  praise 
Thy  love  and  faithfulness  through  all  my  days. 


Easter  Dawn.  203 


EASTER  DAWN, 

IT  is  too  calm  to  be  a  dream, 
Too  gravely  sweet,  too  full  of  power, 
Prayer  changed  to  praise  this  very  hour  ! 

Yes,  heard  and  answered  !  though  it  seem 
Beyond  the  hope  of  yesterday, 
Beyond  the  faith  that  dared  to  pray, 
Yet  not  beyond  the  love  that  heard, 
And  not  beyond  the  faithful  word 
On  which  each  trembling  prayer  may  rest 
And  win  the  answer  truly  best. 

Yes,  heard  and  answered!  sought  and  found  ! 
I  breathe  a  golden  atmosphere 
Of  solemn  joy,  and  seem  to  hear  ' 

Within,  above,  and  all  around, 
The  chime  of  deep  cathedral  bells. 
An  early  herald  peal  that  tells 
A  glorious  Easter  tide  begun  ; 
While  yet  are  sparkling  in  the  sun 
Large  raindrops  of  the  night  storm  passed, 
And  days  of  Lent  are  gone  at  last. 

[  Written  in  pe7tcil  the  earty  dawn  of  her  last 
Easter  Day,  April  1 879.] 


204         "  Under  His  ShadowT 


THE  SEED  OF  SONG, 

THE  seed  of  a  song  was  cast 
On  the  listening  hearts  around, 
And  the  sweetly  winning  sound 
In  a  few  short  minutes  passed. 
But  a  song  of  perfect  praise, 
And  a  song  of  perfect  love 
Was  the  harvest  after  many  days, 
Beneath  the  everlasting  rays 
Of  the  summer-time  above. 

The  seed  of  a  single  word 

Fell  among  the  furrows  deep. 

In  their  silent  wintry  sleep, 
And  the  sower  never  an  echo  heard. 
But  the  **  Come  !"  was  not  in  vain. 

For  that  germ  of  Life  and  Love, 
And  the  blessed  Spirit's  quickening  rain, 
Made  a  golden  sheaf  of  precious  grain 

For  the  Harvest  Home  above. 

Will  you  not  sow  that  song? 
Will  you  not  drop  that  word 
Till  the  coldest  hearts  be  stirred 

From  their  slumber  deep  and  long? 

Then  your  harvest  shall  abound, 


"  Behold  the  Bridegroom  co7nethJ^    205 

With  rejoicing  full  and  grand, 
"Where  the  heavenly  summer-songs  resound, 
And  the  fruits  of  faithful  work  are  found, 

In  the  Glorious  Holy  Land. 


''BEHOLD    THE   BRIDEGROOM 
COMETH.'' 

Matthew  xxv.  6. 

O  HERALD  whisper  falling 
Upon  the  passing  night. 
Mysteriously  calling 

The  children  of  the  light  ! 

He  Cometh ;  oh.   He  cometh ! 

Our  own  beloved  Lord  ! 
This  blessed  hope  up  summeth 

Our  undeserved  reward. 

He  cometh  !  though  the  hour 

Nor  earth  nor  heaven  %  may  know. 

Sure   is  the  word  of  power, 

"He  cometh  !"     Even  so  ! 

1879. 


2o6         "  Under  His  Shadow T 


UNFINISHED  FRAGMENTS, 

THE  Master  will  guide  the  weary  feet, 
Choosing  for  each,  and  choosing  aright 
The  noontide  rest  in  the  summer  heat  ; 
For  some  the  glory  of  Alpine  height, 
For  some  the  breezes  fresh  and  free 
And  the  changeful  charm  of  wave  and  sea  ; 
For  some  the  hush  and  the  soothing  spells 
Of  harvest  fields  and  woodland  dells  ; 
For  some  it  may  be  the  quiet  gloom 
Of  the  suffering  couch  and  the  shaded  room. 
Master,  otir  Master,  oh  let  it  be 
I  That  our  leisure  and  rest  be  still  with  Thee, 
^  WitH  Thee  andyc'r  Thee  each  sunny  hour 

•  •  •  •  •  •  « 

In  pencil^  May  1879. 


**     A    RISE,   depart !    for   this    is  not    your 
l\     rest  !  " 

The  Voice  fell  strangely  on  the  sleeping  fold. 
As  fell  the  starlight's  quivering  gold 

Upon  the  dusky  lake's  untroubled  breast. 

And  yet  the  Shepherd's  hand  had  led  them  there, 

And  made  them  to  lie  down  amid  the  pastures 
fair. 


'U^tjinished  Fragineiits.  207 

**  Arise  ye,  and  depart  !  "     The  morning  rays 
Lit  up  the  emerald  slope  and  crystal  pool, 

Sweet  sustenance  for  many  days, 
And  quiet  resting  places,  calm  and  cool. 
They   knew   not   why   nor   whither,  yet   they 

went ! 
His  own  hand  put  them  forth,  and  so  they  were 
content. 

And  so  they  followed  Him,  they  could  not  stay 
When  He  had  risen,  the  Shepherd  good  and 
fair 

•  •  •  •  •  •  • 

In  pencil^  May  1879. 


WHAT  are  the  tuneful  voices 
That  awake  at  early  dawn  ? 
Do  they  come  from  the  orient  portals 

Of  the  palace  of  the  morn? 
They  tell  of  a  Golden  City 

With  pearl  and  jasper  bright. 
And  of  shining  forms  that  beckon 

From  the  pure  and  dazzling  light. 
Then  a  rush  of  far- oft  harpings 

Blends  with  the  voices  clear, 
And  I  know  that  the  night  is  passing 

And  I  know  that  the  day  is  near  ! 


2o8         "  Lhider  His   Shadow^ 

''  MOST  BLESSED  FOR  EVER:' 
Psalm  xxi.  6. 

[Thouo^h  the  date  of  these  lines  is  uncertain,  they 
are  chosen  as  a  closing  chord  to  her  songs  on  earth.) 

THE  prayer  of  many  a  day  is  all  fulfilled, 
Only  by  full  fruition  stayed  and  stilled  ; 
You  asked  for  blessing  as  your  Father  willed, 
Now  He   hath   answered  :    *  *  Most  blessed 
for  ever  !  " 

Lost  is  the  daily  light  of  mutual  smile, 

You  therefore  sorrow  now  a  little  while  ; 
But  floating  down  life's  dimmed  and  lonely 
aisle 
Comes  the   clear  music:   *'  Most  blessed  for 
ever  ! " 

From  the  great  anthems  of  the  Crystal  Sea, 
Through  the  far  vistas  of  Eternity, 

Grand  echoes  of  the  word  peal  on  for  thee. 
Sweetest   and   fullest  :    "  Most   blessed   for 
ever !  " 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


PAGE 

A  few  months  ago  .....  192 

Another  year  is  dawning  ! 149 

"  Arise,  depart  !  for  this  is  not  your  rest !  "  .  206 

As  the  sounding  shell  conveys      ....  126 

Behold  your  King  !  Though  the  moonlight  steals      200 
Blessings  on  thee,  darling  boy     .         .         .         .       163 

Christmas  gifts  for  thee         .        .         .    •     .         .182 
Come  down,  and  show  the  dwellers  far  below     .       116 

Do  what  Thou  wilt  !  yes,  only  do         .         .         .185 
Dying?  Evelyn,  darling! 167 

Ere  the  pathless  ocean  waters      ....       175 

Far  away  I  heard  it      ......  60 

Far  from  home  alone  1  wander    .         .         .         .  121 

Father,  we  would  plead  Thy  promise,  bending 

at  Thy  glorious  throne 129 

**  From  glory  unto  glory  ! "     Thank  God,  that 

even  here 73 

"Grace,  mercy,  peace  !" 125 


P 


2IO 


Index. 


**  He  suffered  !  "   Was  it,  Lord,  indeed  for  me 
Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  blessed  us 

I  came  from  very  far  away  to  see 

I  could  not  do  without  Him  . 

I  take  this  pain.  Lord  Jesus 

**  I  thought  I  knew  it  !  "  she  said 

In  the  freshness  of  the  springtime 

In  the  way  that  He  shall  choose  . 

It  is  the  quiet  evening  time,  the  sun  is  in  the  west 

It  is  too  calm  to  be  a  dream 

Leaning  over  the  waterfall   . 
Listen  !  for  the  Lord  hath  spoken 


My  Alpine  staff  recalls  each  shining  height 
My  Master,  they  have  wronged  Thee  and 
love 


Thy 


New  mercies,   new  blessings,  new  light  on  thy 

way . 

Nothing  to  pay  !   Ah,  nothing  to  pay  ! 

O  herald  whisper  falling 

O  the  wealth  of  pearly  blossom,  O  the  woodland's 

emerald  gleam  ! 

O  what  shining  revelation  of  His  treasures  God 

hath  given  !....... 

Oh  let  me  know 

Only  a  leaf,  yet  it  shall  bear         .... 

Only  a  tiny  dropping 

Only  for  Jesus  !     Lord,  keep  it  for  ever 


PAGE 

199 
181 


69 

139 
137 

113 

78 

181 

157 
203 

109 
196 

118 
83 

148 
198 

205 
121 

94 

20I 

125 
107 

88 


Index. 

211 

PAGE 

Que  je  sois,  O  cher  Sauveur         .        .        .        . 

135 

Reality,  reality 

131 

Rejoice  with  Jesus  Christ  to-day  . 

.         147 

Rest  him,  O  Father  !  Thou  didst  send  him  forth 

91 

She  chose  His  service.     For  the  Lord  of  Love 

66 

Sing,  O  heavens  !  the  Lord  hath  done  it  !  . 

183 

So  it  has  come  to  you,  dear  .... 

T18 

Standing  at  the  portal  .         .         .         .         . 

172 

Sweet  rose  of  the  South  !  contented  to  rest 

176 

That  part  Is  finished  !  I  lay  down  my  pen   . 

I 

The  forest  hath  its  voices      .         . 

112 

The  High  Priest  stands  before  the  Mercy  Seat 

93 

The  Master  will  guide  the  weary  feet . 

206 

The  murmur  of  a  waterfall   .... 

105 

The  prayer  of  many  a  day  is  all  fulfilled 

208 

The  seed  of  a  song  was  cast .... 

204 

The  sun  hath  gilded  Judah's  hills 

159 

There  is  a  strange  wild  wail  around,  a  wail  of  wile 

unrest          . 

186 

**  There  is  no  *  afterward  *  on  earth  for  me  !  " 

•         89 

There  is  no  holy  service        .... 

53 

**  Thou  hast  forgiven — even  until  now  !  "     . 

152 

Though  the  circling  flight  of  time  may  find  us 

126 

Thy  thoughts,  O  God  !  0  theme  Divine 

2 

To-day  the  golden  sunlight   .... 

146 

Two  nations  mourn  !   The  same  great  grief  is 

known 

117 

PAGE 

Upon  the  same  bright  morning  Star      .         ..       .  126 

Upon  the  Word  I  rest 197 

Vessels  of  mercy,  prepared  unto  glory  !        .         .  87 

Wanderer  from  thy  Father's  home       .         .         .  143 

We  watched  the  gradual  rising  of  a  star       .  22 

What  are  the  tuneful  voices 207 

What  do  we  seek   for  him  to-day,  who,   through 

such  golden  gates 164 

What  shall  I  wish  thee  ? 150 

What  though  the  blossom  fall  and  die  ?        .         ,  195 

Will  you  not  come  to  Him  for  Life?    .        .        .  144 


Butler  &  Tanner,  Frome,  and  London. 


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'*iwm 


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